(Georgia) House proclaims 2007 the Year of Robert E. Lee

Savannah ^ | January 25, 2007 | Walter C. Jones

[Steve Van Doorn]

He did mess up at Gettysburg

[Jasper]

"It is well that war is so terrible, lest we should grow too fond of it."
-- Robert E. Lee [1862]

Stainless,
Deo Vindice, and thanks for the ping.

/jasper

[FlashBack]

Put me on your 'ping' list please...as I've just recently (late as it is) started reading up on our country's history from the Civil War era. General Lee, from what I've read so far, was a very honorable man.
I look forward to your 'pings' on related subject matter.

[StoneWall Brigade]

Lee beat Grunt like a drum at Cold Harbor

[Mr Ramsbotham]

Lee beat Grunt like a drum at Cold Harbor

If the war had been a judged event, he would have won hands down.

[wafflehouse]

now THAT is a stretch

[wafflehouse]

But I judge generals on winning wars...

that is a solid criterion to judge generals.. however it is not a good criterion to judge him as overrated. Lee was not trying to 'cut a romantic figure', he was trying to do what he thought was the right thing.

[onyx]

Black leaders in the House said they didn't raise any objection because they're more concerned about being able to celebrate their own historical figures.

BUMP for adult thinking.

[DieHard the Hunter]

> But I judge generals on winning wars, not on personal characteristics, however admirable.

By your logic, then, Gen Westmoreland would surely have been at least as "overrated" as General Lee, if not moreso?

[KellyAdmirer]

Perhaps America's most over-rated general.

Nah, that would be MacArthur. I think Lee was a brilliant delegator. He gave his generals wide latitude and freedom of action, with order that could be interpreted pretty much however the generals wanted. When he had terrific generals under him, as with Stonewall Jackson, this made Lee look brilliant. When he had, um, lesser generals under him, as at Gettysburg (anyone who has studied the battle should know who I mean), Lee didn't come off so well. But I think his style of command was admirable, and indeed he was a great general who rose to his greatest heights as the war came crashing down around him in '64-'65.

[stainlessbanner]

So who was more overrated than Lee? McClellan, Meade, Burnside, Hooker.....really.

Lee was an educator, a statesman, a father, a son, a patriot, a horseman, an inspiration, a man of integrity, a soldier, a commander, a Christian, an engineer, and so many other things.

Soldiers of all stripes loved Marse Robert, Union Generals respected him, and Presidents honored Robert E. Lee. Don't tell me he was overrated.

[stainlessbanner]

The last thing Lee was doing was cutting a "romantic figure." Reading his letters, it's clear he was bound by duty; there was no mention of fame, accolades or grandeur for Lee.

There were many more pompous generals of the political nature who were appointed by friends, but had no business commanding soldiers.

[Mobile Vulgus]

CSA hootenanny ping

[stainlessbanner]

Some comments on Lee from past Presidents and some from the Mexican-American War. I'll take their judgment over yours, inky.

"I am compelled to make special mention of Captain R. E. Lee,the greatest feat of physical and moral courage performed by any individual in my knowledge pending the campaign."
- General Winfield Scott

"..success in Mexico was largely due to the skill, valor and undaunted energy of Robert E. Lee."
- General Winfield Scott

"Lee is the greatest military genius in America."
-General Scott

"I wish to record particularly my admiration of the conduct of Captain Lee, of the engineers--the soundness of his judgment and his personal daring being equally conspicuous."
- General Persifer Smith

"testimony to the intrepid coolness and gallantry exhibited by Captain Lee when conducting the advance of my brigade under the heavy flank fire of the enemy."
-Colonel Riley speaking of Lee

"his gallantry and good conduct deserve the highest praise"
-General Twiggs

"in whose skill and judgment I had the utmost confidence."
-General Shields speaking of Lee

"He came from Mexico crowned with honors, covered with brevets, and recognized, young as he was, as one of the ablest of his country's soldiers."
-Jefferson Davis

"General Robert E. Lee was, in my estimation, one of the supremely gifted men produced by our Nation. He believed unswervingly in the Constitutional validity of his cause which until 1865 was still an arguable question in America; he was thoughtful yet demanding of his officers and men, forbearing with captured enemies but ingenious, unrelenting and personally courageous in battle, and never disheartened by a reverse or obstacle. Through all his many trials, he remained selfless almost to a fault and unfailing in his belief in God. Taken altogether, he was noble as a leader and as a man, and unsullied as I read the pages of our history."
-Dwight D. Eisenhower

[Blue Jays]

.

[lentulusgracchus]

Rep. Al Williams, D-Midway, the chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus, said few lawmakers paid any attention when the Lee resolution passed.

"Although he wasn't a hero of mine, I respect the ability of other people to honor their own heroes," he said.

A hat tip for civility to solon Williams.

[TYVets]

Visit Georgia this year for the Year of Lee.

Headed to Georgia in mid March.

[Zeroisanumber]

Barf.