He looked like a grandfather
with his white hair and beard
and by all accounts was a quiet gentle man
even when wearing his gray coat and all.

Southern born and West Point trained
but his heart resided in Virginia
and when his love Virginia called
it was as if a loving wife
asked of him his help
he went.....

Then for weary years he fought the fight
for his hearth and beloved home
defeating armies exceeding his
turning defeat into victory, many times over.
But resources dwindled
yet on he fought
and remained a gentle man.

Then he took the war to northern lands
hoping to gain peace from war
once his enemy felt the sting
of a home front war.

Came Gettysburg and the decision
to fight despite high ground surrendered.
decision to end the war right here
with either South or North rendered.
Pickett's failed but fateful charge
began the end

Though war carried on
until the surrender of Robert E. Lee