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MY COMMITMENT!

Dear Fellow Historians,
    In 2002 at Cedar Creek, Virginia a Confederate soldier startled me when he declared, "In my 15 years of reenacting, you're the first General Lee who has ever spoken to me!" To me this statement simply represents bad history! I am certain that Robert E. Lee would have occasionally visited with his men asking them such questions as, "How are your spirits?" or "Are you writing your Mother?" or "Are you getting enough to eat?" I'm also certain his soldiers shouted, "We love you, General Lee!" because "Marse Robert" made himself no "stranger" to them!
    For years I have watched some "General Lees" sitting under their tent flys chatting with their "staff officers"  or walking through camp surrounded by their staffs and unapproachable. This is not how I believe Marse Robert should be portrayed and it's not the way I am going to portray General Robert E. Lee. I refuse to just be a "Lee mannequin" sitting at his tent!
    Therefore I make two firm promises! I will come to your event with a commitment to accurate Civil War history and dignified Southern manners. Additionally I want to interact  as much as possible with the public (of course, soldiers included!) as a  Southern Gentleman and Confederate General....just like Gen'l Robert E. Lee!
Your Obedient Servant, Dick Crozier               

Who is Dick Crozier?
I'm a 59 year old broadcast engineer who retired from the Communications program at the local Community College. I have a degree in Radio and Television Communications. I'm also a Ham Radio Operator, bicyclist, former news reporter/photographer, guitar player, former CPR instructor, former EMT, music lover, Mensan, Vietnam-Era Air Force Veteran (Sgt.), antique radio collector, video producer, former Disc Jockey, RVer, classic movie buff, and on and on. (Maybe I just have a short attention span? ;-)

As an actor I've been in productions of Carousel, War of the Worlds, The Christmas Carol, also I portrayed Mr. Topper in a Charles Dicken's Street Festival and an 1840's politician at the National Women's Rights Park in Seneca Falls, NY. My life-long love of history includes an addiction to the US Civil War. My great-grandfather and his brother were a Privates in the war. I grew up in my Father's store "The Gunroom" where I handled many of the original artifacts of the 1860's. (including my great-grandfather William Jarvis Crozier's reunion ribbons) My Dad was very proud of his Civil War ancestors and spoke of his "Grandpa" many times. One of my earliest memories was visiting Gettysburg with my family...when Eisenhower was President!

I am presently an active member of the Onondaga County and the Maj. Andrew J. Grover Civil War Round Tables. I eventually became the Maj. Grover RT President for 5 years and now serve as the vice-president. I been in several plays and on television although I wouldn't blame you if you missed me. I was in both the History Channel's production of "April 1865" and the 140th Gettysburg video. I've always enjoyed acting and history so over a decade ago I decided to put all my interests together and become a "living historian". I believe that history is fascinating, but when it's delivered in "first-person" it has a wonderful impact!  I started as a Private, but after a few years I realized (at my age) I couldn't continue running around in a hot uniform! My interest in politics then figured in as I started to portray the controversial "Copperhead" Congressman from Ohio, Clement Laird Vallandigham. "Valient Val" strongly opposed "Lincoln's War" on Consitutional grounds. I love this guy! He was cantankerous to his opponents, but Vallandigham was one of those people who "meant what he said and said what he meant". This impression was extremely enjoyable, but as my hair started aging about 10 years ago something unusual and unexpected happened; people started calling me "General Lee". They always appeared sad or annoyed when I explained to them "No, I am Congressman Vallandigham".

At first the mistaken identity was slightly disturbing because I was attempting a serious and historically correct impression of the Congressman. I also felt the comparison was misguided because I was wearing a black civilian frock coat and top hat; not a Confederate uniform. We have all have seen "Lee impressionists" who are just wearing a uniform and know nothing about Lee or don't look anything like the General. (but think they do!) I didn't want to be one of those people who delude themselves into thinking they look like the great General.  I suspected it was the old phenomenon when people with white beards are told they "sorta" look like Santa Claus, Kenny Rogers, or General Lee.  Regardless of my protests, the public continued to identify me as General Lee. Because of my desire to do my characters "right" I also wasn't sure if I actually wanted to bear the "burden" of portraying such an esteemed historical figure! But finally the decision was made for me when a friend from Georgia, whom I haven't seen in 20 years, came for a visit. She came through my door and immediately said, "You look just like Robert E. Lee!" That was it!

I then started to learn as much as I could about Robert E. Lee to supplement my knowledge of the Civil War. Two years later I finally put on the uniform. The immediate and positive response to my impression surprised even me. The first year I was astonished when I was hired by the "Lee House" in Richmond. The afternoon before the ceremony I walked around the City of Richmond and in spite of the fact that I was wearing modern civilian clothing, I was "recognized" by dozens of people. This fact astonished me although it did reinforce my decision to portray General Lee as the correct choice. That evening as I walked among the guests and posed by the same back door where Matthew Brady took the Lee photographs one guest said my impression of General Lee was "spooky".  I knew I was on the right track when I later had a conversation with a lady from Virginia and my accent convinced her that I was also from "The Old Dominion".

Since then I've portrayed the General in dozens of locations in the United States and I've gotten used to being "recognized" both in and out of uniform. When people ask me "Do you know who you look like? Before I answer, I ask them who they think I "look like?"  Almost always they say, "General Robert E. Lee!"  Sometimes however there are lame attempts at humor. "You're General Grant. Right?" But the worst was, "Aren't you Colonel Sanders?"  It's funny however how many people will say, "I don't want to insult you, but..." I then assure them that I'm not in any way insulted! Others will just look and keep looking, but they don't say anything. I used to wonder what they were thinking, but now I know!

It's been a mixed ride thus far. Some other portrayers of General Lee have understandably not been terribly receptive to the "new kid on the block".  (Especially one who has Lee's voice, knowledge, manners, and who also can ACT!) But the incredibly positive reactions and statements  of spectators and listeners who have seen and heard my presentation are what keep me going. (Some of their remarks are included on my Home Page)

People now ask me "What do you do for a living?" and I say, "Now that I'm retired, I portray General Lee". It is an honor to do so because his life is a standard which we can pattern our and our children's lives. He makes clear the meaning of the words "Duty, Honor, and Country". Robert E. Lee, as a man, is a challenge to portray, but I'm told that I do it better than anyone else. It is, of course, up to you to make up your own mind. I hope someday I meet you and we can talk about that time in our nation's history that we both love, the Civil War.

Your Obedient Servant,
Dick Crozier/R.E. Lee   Gen'l


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