"General Lee, this is no place for you. These men behind you are Georgians and Virginians. They have never failed you and will not fail you here. Will you boys?"
- John Brown Gordon
About this Quote
In this quote, General Lee is being advised by John Brown Gordon that the males behind him are from Virginia and Georgia and have always been loyal to him in the past. Gordon is essentially informing Lee that he can trust these guys to follow him into battle and not let him down. By addressing the soldiers directly and asking if they will fail their leader, Gordon is instilling a sense of responsibility and obligation in them to combat fearlessly and with honor. This quote exemplifies the deep sense of commitment and brotherhood that existed among Confederate soldiers and their leaders throughout the Civil War.
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