Some of us care to think he fought on the RIGHT side!
There were many reasons for the Civil War but to a great extent the sides fought for different reasons, not always clear to their opponents, then and now.
The only commonality was the basic reason for the war. One side wanted to preserve the Union and the other wanted to go its own way.
All who fought and died fought for what they thought was right. Or, they were conscripted.
I wish we could have frozen a long time ago our thoughts and conclusions about the Civil War. Its teaching has been and continues to be corrupted.
Some of us KNOW he fought on the right side!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GENERAL LEE, SIR!
He fought on the wrong side and admitted as much before his death. But he's still one of the greatest Americans ever.
The side of states' rights and the side of allowing states, when the Federal government threatened their rights, to take the ultimate enforcement action. Without the right to secede, the Federal colossus can do to the states (and by extension to individuals) any darn thing it wants, effectively. Secession, although it should be a VERY last resort, is the ultimate means to keep Federal power in check.
I am very proud to have Lee blood. They truly are the First Family of Virginia and one of America's first families. (It was a Lee who wrote the resolution for independence, you know.)
Amen to that Tex! All General Lee, and all of us Virginians ever wanted (and continue to want) is for the Federal Government to stay out of our lives. Is that too much to ask? And please, before some Yankee out there goes nuts and starts yelping about slavery and all - I'm not in favor of it - there, OK?
Having said that, General Lee and General Jackson there are those on this earth who mourn your passing and wish you both all the best in the great beyond.