The American Spectator

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Excellent article.

And today, perhaps Lee’s noblest moment is set off in stark relief. At the end of the war, at Appomattox, several of Lee’s staff, doubtless reflecting widespread opinion in the army, wanted to continue the war with guerilla war. Lee said no. The issue is settled. Guerilla war would destroy the country.

Thus, Lee turned his back on the endless violence that we see, for instance, in the Middle East today, the endless refighting of historical battles. Lee’s prestige was so great that his opinion became the opinion of the South. In fact, history has no instance of two greater souls making peace than Grant and Lee at McLean’s house in Appomattox. Grant offered a generous peace and Lee accepted it. And the country was rejoined.

There is a famous story that 19-year-old Henry Wise, Jr. the son of Confederate general and former governor of Virginia, Henry Wise, returned home after the war only to find his father barring the door to the family house.

“You cannot enter,” the elder Wise told his son. “You have disgraced our family by seeking a parole from those Yankees.”

“But father,” the son said, “that is what General Lee said I should do.”

Silence.

“Oh. That’s different. If General Lee said that’s what you should do, then that is the right thing to do, regardless of any other consideration whatsoever.”

p>If Lee helped to split the country, he helped even more to bind it back together. If for nothing else, that alone would make him a hero. br> — Greg Richards /p> p> Hate to burst your bubble but Lee is not the great person you would like him to be. Yes, he was a Christian and his military prowess is legendary. He was also a very gentle, nice person. However, for all that, he did betray his oath of allegiance to the United States and its Constitution. He decided that his state of Virginia and its secession from the union was more important. He participated in some of the bloodiest battles of the Civil war. Down south some places revere him almost as deity. I know, my son-in-law is from Alabama. However, for all his greatness, he did commit treason against this nation and through his actions, caused many a good man to lose his life. We vilify Benedict Arnold as the epitome of traitor and for good reason. Is Robert E. Lee to be sanctified for his actions, though nobler, still all the same treasonous? My great-great grandfather fought at Gettysburg with the 14th Vermont and was part of the flanking movement that broke Pickett’s charge. Over 50,000 men died in that battle (North and South) , some to preserve this great union, and the others to render it asunder, and for what? So some Southern plantation owners could hold in slavery human beings, under the guise of states’ rights? That is what Lee chose over his nation and oath. br> —