The American Spectator

Reader Mail

(Page 5 of 13)

p> Excellent work by H. W. Crocker III in his piece on Robert E. Lee. When I was a cadet. I studied Lee's military campaigns, which led me to read his biography. He was everything that Mr. Crocker writes, and more, in my estimation. My oldest son graduated from Washington and Lee University, with the result that he, and my wife, also have an understanding and appreciation of Lee's greatness. I fear we have no leaders of his caliber today, and, worse, we never again will. br> -- W. B. Heffernan, Jr. /p>

Yes, Robert E. Lee was handsome, dignified and articulate. A great soldier. But he trashed the oath of allegiance he took when he accepted a commission in the United States Army and he fought effectively to preserve human slavery. In defeat, he got off lightly. Too lightly.

p>Another Virginian, George Thomas, saw his duty and upheld it. He would become the "Rock of Chickamaugua." br> -- William McTernan /p> p> Great piece. I too, as a Civil War buff, have always admired Lee and Jackson. If only we had great leaders like that today, we would be such a better country for it. I admire your courage to write about this American Hero, even though the Left would call it politically incorrect. There is nothing incorrect about this great man. I wish more media members would talk about Lee and his life so that more Americans can learn about him and follow his example. Please keep up the good work. br> -- Dan Scouler br> Manhattan Beach, California /p> p> I don't want to be unkind but contrary to your suggestions one of the reasons Lee's reputation has faded so much is that it was always wildly, and unjustly, inflated. I'm not suggesting he was a bad general, but much, perhaps nearly all of his battlefield success had to do with the appalling incompetence of the Union generals. Remember George McClellan? The reasons for this incompetence are hard to fathom now, but these were real. In addition, Lee's order for Pickett's charge at Gettysburg was a catastrophic error for which many in the South never forgave him.

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