"
Robert Lee obtained his first schooling at the old academy in
Alexandria, then taught by a Mr. Leary, who remained always his good
friend. Later he attended a better known school, conducted by a strict
Quaker, Benjamin Hallowell--Brimstone Castle, the boys called it,
solely on account of the color of the brick walls. Hallowell himself
was rarely if ever brimstone in character, though he could be stern
enough on occasion. He "thee'd" and "thou'd" in the most orthodox
style, and decried all warfare. Despite his pacifist teaching,
however, young Lee's earliest ambition was to become a soldier. It was
in his blood.
He was fond of outdoor sports, especially hunting and horseback riding.
His lifelong fondness for horses brings to mind the same trait in
Grant, his later antagonist. In his older days Lee would tell with
enthusiasm how as a boy he had followed the hunt, not infrequently on
foot, for hours over hill and valley without tiring. Again he wrote:
"I know the pleasure of training a handsome horse. I enjoy it as much
as any one." His famous steed, "Traveller," was known throughout the
Army of Virginia, during the War, and the sight of him caused many an
eye to grow moist as he followed riderless the remains of his beloved
master to their last resting place.
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