Historical Highlight: Student Honor under Lee

Historical Highlight:

Student honor under Robert E. Lee, 1865-1870

[The following feature includes excerpts from four different letters and reminiscences detailing how Washington College students faced disciplinary action during Robert E. Lee’s presidency from 1865-1870. While the Honor System moved into student hands under Lee, students still had to report to the president on suspicions of guilt or misbehavior. All excerpts have been hyperlinked if you wish to read the full text. Please contact SHP with any questions.]

(Various contemporary biographies of Robert. E. Lee. Source: The Spectator)

Excerpt 1: “Reminiscences of an Old ‘Lee Boy’” The Alumni Magazine of Washington and Lee University VII, no. 3 (January 1932): 11-13

The surviving "Lee Boys" will remember that his method of administering college discipline was entirely paternal. We were told at the beginning that the only thing required of us was the faithful discharge of our college duties and that we should conduct ourselves as gentlemen. His own character as the ideal gentleman was deeply impressed on all who were capable of being impressed by it.

What is known as the "honor system" was not then technically in vogue, but the public sentiment of the student body always found a way promptly to eliminate any student who was guilty of any dishonorable conduct. Those who were remiss in class attendance were always invited to a personal interview with the President in his office.

At a first interview he would usually ask a few questions, as to when they had heard from home, and if their parents were well, and how they were enjoying their college work. He would then dismiss the student with a polite "good morning." No student ever left any such interview with any doubt as to why he had been summoned, or with any desire to have the interview repeated.

Excerpt 2: S.H. Chester, “At College Under General Lee – in ‘69-’70,” Washington and Lee University Special Collections and Archives.

[H]e used to send around with a list of the names written on a paper of those whom he wished to interview in his office on account of any kind of delinquency.

This was practically – except very occasionally in aggravated cases – the only manner of discipline resorted to in his administration. It was a very effective one, and no student who had that experience ever wanted it repeated, altho during the interview frequently no reference to the occasion of it would be mentioned…

But as was the case with every other student who had any appreciation of greatness and goodness the influence of [Lee’s] character was with us continually as a stimulus to what is good and a restraint from things of which he would not approve. He used to say that he placed no emphasis on rules and regulations beyond this, that a student’s stay in the institution depended on whether he knew how to conduct himself as a gentleman.

Excerpt 3: “A Student Under General Lee,” Chapel Hill Weekly (April 24, 1936)

In the General’s intercourse with the students no kinder or more sympathetic man ever lived, but he was as firm as he was kind. I remember a personal instance in the winter of ‘68.

It was very cold in Lexington and the river nearby was frozen and in splendid skating condition. At least half the college boys were on the ice, and a great many of the townspeople. I wanted to go of all things, but I did not want to out any of my classes for fear it would injure my term stand; therefore I decided to ask General Lee’s permission and then I would be all right.

However, when I made my application for leave to go he refused to give it, explaining very kindly that if he gave me permission he would have to give it to all who applied, and he could not interrupt college routine on account of skating. Now I was in a fix…

Well, after all I went skating, and had the biggest kind of a day, but my conscience made me pay for it. ‘Now,’ it said, ‘you have disobeyed General Lee for a little pleasure—aren't you ashamed of yourself?’ Well, I was, but that did not help matters. However, examinations came on and I was never called to explain my absence, but I surely had some bad hours thinking over what the General would say to me, because I had heard of wild boys seen coming from his office in tears he had talked to them in a kindly and fatherly manner, and I hankered after no such experience.

Excerpt 4: Lee to Mr. G.B. Strickler, May 3, 1868, from Robert E. Lee, Jr., Recollections and Letters of General Robert E. Lee (New York: Doubleday, Page & Co., 1904), 299-301.

[In May 1868, a black man was arrested for shooting a student during an altercation in Lexington. A Reconstruction-era military commissioner had received reports — which Lee subsequently denied the credibility of — that several Washington College students planned to “attack” the prisoner. Lee simultaneously wrote the following letter to the president of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) at Washington College, explaining his reaction to the allegations.]

I cannot believe that any such act is intended or would be allowed by the students of Washington College, though it is possible that such an intention may have been spoken of amongst them.

I think it only necessary to call the attention of the students to the report to prevent such an occurrence. I feel convinced that none would countenance such outrage against law and order, but that all will cheerfully submit to the administration of justice by the legal authorities.

As the readiest way of communicating with the students, at this hour, on Sunday, I have concluded to address you this letter that through the members of the [YMCA] the students generally may be informed of the apprehension entertained by the military authorities; and I earnestly invoke the students to abstain from any violation of law, and to unite in preserving quiet and order on this and every occasion.