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First, you need to be more specific about what you are objecting to. You state "historical revisionists seek to smear Lee's memory...." Can you give some examples? One might disagree with taking down statues of Lee and other confederate generals, but doing so does not constitute smearing their memory. Are there any other specific examples of someone smearing RE Lee?
Here's a good read on that. This article dates back to 2007.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news...-113819-6763r/
Robert E. Lee has been attacked by revisionist historians who have argued that the Confederate commander’s reputation was a “postwar mythical creation,” a Civil War historian said at a weekend conference in Arlington.
..
“We had a lot of Yankees in that audience,” said Mr. Bowling, explaining that the attacks on Lee’s reputation are part of a trend toward political correctness that is “a broader problem with our whole nation’s history. It’s not just a Confederate thing.”
I think if more people in the confederate states had actually honored Lee by following the example he tried to set in the face of loss, we might never have needed a Civil Rights Act.
"Lee’s home at Arlington was seized by the government, he lost his citizenship, and he had no income. Nevertheless, Lee wanted the southerners to accept their defeat without bitterness. Thus, he was a great influence for peace and friendship between the North and South. He hoped that they would work together for a prosperous, united nation once more. “So far from engaging in a war to perpetuate slavery, I am rejoiced that Slavery is abolished. I believe it will be greatly for the interest of the South. So fully am I satisfied of this that I would have cheerfully lost all that I have lost by the war, and have suffered all that I have suffered to have this object attained.” (General Robert E. Lee, May 1, 1870.)"
People should watch it and learn a bit. Lee loved his country, he simply loved his state even more. This was normal for the time. Lee had his faults, as no man is perfect. He was loved by his own soldiers and commanded the respect of many Northern Generals as well. Grant was in awe of Lee. Regardless of what people say, the Southern States were paranoid about states rights. Davis once said that he wished he had Lincoln's power. He was forever arguing with the state governors .
Everything else aside, he was the military leader of a failed, traitorous plan. Failure, especially in the interest of being a traitor, is bad and the stink of it never rubs off.
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Originally Posted by boneyard1962
PBS has a great series called: The civil War
People should watch it and learn a bit. Lee loved his country, he simply loved his state even more. This was normal for the time. Lee had his faults, as no man is perfect. He was loved by his own soldiers and commanded the respect of many Northern Generals as well. Grant was in awe of Lee. Regardless of what people say, the Southern States were paranoid about states rights. Davis once said that he wished he had Lincoln's power. He was forever arguing with the state governors .
There are 2 Civil War series that air on PBS stations, occasionally. The 1st really ignores large portions of the war. The 2nd fills in what the 1st ignored.
General George Thomas was also a Virginian. He also graduated from West Point. He felt that it was his duty to honor his oath. The Union soldiers who fought under him loved him as well.
There were too many Confederates of high rank to jail them all. It would be best to modify the statues of Lee to include some of his post war statements aimed at healing the nation.
Everything else aside, he was the military leader of a failed, traitorous plan. Failure, especially in the interest of being a traitor, is bad and the stink of it never rubs off.
you should read about his entire career...…… he distinguished himself in the Mexican war...…..
you should read about his entire career...…… he distinguished himself in the Mexican war...…..
That's the everything else aside. He had the potential to be a great man and in some ways he certainly was. He was the best general we had, however, and he went to fight for the other side. Causing ten's of thousands of additional deaths...conservatively. That decision cost him his legacy, if not his integrity, and rightfully so.
you should read about his entire career...…… he distinguished himself in the Mexican war...…..
He was also a humble man and I doubt he’d support statues or schools named after him. He accepted his shame.
Personally, the North was far too easy on the South post-civil war. But I get it... national healing was more important. It was beneficial to have Lee there to help heal the nation.
He should be remembered for exactly what he was. He betrayed his nation, not out of selfishness like much of the landed gentry only looking to prolong slavery, but out of duty to his home state. He did attempt to heal the wounds being an influential voice in the South after. Nevertheless, he shouldn’t be memorialized. He was a great leader, far better than what the North threw his way. But, he still took up arms against the United States and likely his leadership prolonged the war.
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