Comments on: The Death of Robert E. Lee

By: Kevin Levin

Kevin Levin — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 22:16:51 +0000

Thanks for the comment. This class focused specifically on how our collective memory of the Civil War has evolved and why, so there is a certain amount of presentism involved. In fact, the purpose of the class is to try to come to terms with the past through an analysis of how we choose to remember. As I stated in the post, it is not my job as an educator to present Lee as a saint or demon or to tell my students what to think. Again, my focus in this class was to introduce my students to the concept of memory and heritage. Thanks again for taking the time to comment.

By: Reconstructed Southern

Reconstructed Southern — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 22:07:18 +0000

Presentism is a word that comes to mind as I read your piece. Judith Mitchell’s analysis is spot on. Furthermore, Lee’s deification post mortem by some Southern historians would have even made Lee cringe. Although he did exhibit some vanity due to a self-awareness of his popluarity among the Southern populace, Lee was a life long practitioner of self-denial. Since slavery will always stain the memory of those who were wedded to it in some form or fashion, Lee will have his detractors. As an educator, please at least focus on the positives that Lee achieved at Washington University as the titular head of that institution.

By: Robert Moore

Robert Moore — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:17:16 +0000

Gordon, I was a little bit at a loss, but no harm done… Robert (aka “cenantua”)

By: Gordon B. Lawrence

Gordon B. Lawrence — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:10:07 +0000

KEVIN:

I just left my address and some discourse on another e-site leaving the individual “CENTURA” completely mystified no doubt as to what is going on. Hopefully, this time I get it right.

Graduated August 2008 – finally!! Am hosting at the conference on the 29th where you are to be a facilitator. Let’s get together afterward and compare notes if you will. Maybe raise a glass to our good fortune in this life.

By: David L. Wiseman

David L. Wiseman — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 04:28:41 +0000

At the end of the day our judgments of whether Robert E. Lee was a traitor or a hero are shaped by our own experience and the values we have come to hold based on that experience. Scholars have done a credible service for all that share an interest in the issues and players of the Civil War. Unfortunately the weight of scholarship upon the formation of attitudes and opinions by today’s students in particular and society in general is probably insignificant. Therefore, in a time when students conditioned by a sound bite media often form snap judgments taking an extended look at an iconic figure like Robert E. Lee is laudable.

By: John Buchanan

John Buchanan — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:32:52 +0000

This is the oath I took as an Army officer in 1980

“I, _____ (SSAN), having been appointed an officer in the Army of the United States, as indicated above in the grade of _____ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; So help me God.” (DA Form 71, 1 August 1959, for officers.)

This is what R. E. Lee (as well as Davis, both Johnston’s and others) swore when they entered the US Army

“I, _____, appointed a _____ in the Army of the United States, do solemnly swear, or affirm, that I will bear true allegiance to the United States of America, and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or opposers whatsoever, and observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the rules and articles for the government of the Armies of the United States.”

Maybe because I served as an Army officer I hold a harsher view, and I recognize that shortcoming, I see no wiggle room in either oath…and they are binding for life.

Anyone who previously swore an oath of allegience to the US and then violated said oath by serving the Confederacy was a traitor.

To me, it is a harsh, bright line.

By: Kevin Levin

Kevin Levin — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 16:48:39 +0000

Thanks for the reminder.

By: Bob Pollock

Bob Pollock — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 02:08:28 +0000

I know this post is supposed to be about Lee, but I would also be interested in what the class thought about Grant.

By: TF Smith

TF Smith — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 00:26:10 +0000

Don’t forget David G. Farragut, who was born in Tennesee, married into a southern family, and made his home in Norfolk for many years prior to the outbreak of the war…

Other southern-born regulars and flag/general officers who remained loyal included Ammen, Carter, Cooke, Davidson, Dyer, Gillem, Graham, etc…

By: Kevin Levin

Kevin Levin — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 22:02:41 +0000

I want to second Bob’s recommendation of Pryor’s biography, which I’ve said is the single best volume on Lee. While I believe that Nolan’s book is fundamentally flawed in certain respects I do recommend it as a bold interpretation of Lee.