Replies

"I had jes give Marse Robert his breakfas' an' went to git old Traveler fer him to ride ter battle. Traveler was Marse Robert's horse what followed him 'round same as a dog would, and would never step on de dead men, but allers walked betwixt and aroun' 'em.” –William Mack Lee, Robert E. Lee’s emancipated slave, wartime cook, friend and beneficiary.

My father took the family to Lee's gravesite many years ago. We stood in silence. He said (paraphrasing) "Here lies one of the greatest American patriots who ever lived. His love of country and love of honor and love of what is right knows no boundaries. He did what he did not because of honor but he also simply did what he had to do. His country called. He answered." Defintion of a hero? Just a gentleman? Just a hero? Gracious no. He was a super-hero and a super-gentleman. This country is so much the poorer for not having enough men like RELEE today.