Letters to the Editor

Originally published February 2023 · pp. 2

Letters to the

Editor

TO THE EDITOR: Stephen Davis’ article in the January issue of Civil War News explaining the continuing historical importance of Robert E. Lee is, in a word, superb. The piece is both well documented and persuasively written. Like Mr. Davis, I grew up admiring General Lee. Back in the Fifties and Sixties, the general was pretty much universally esteemed in my native West Texas. Even in this remote area of the Old Confederacy, newly opened public schools in Midland and Pampa were named for General Lee in the 1950s. Among us Texans of that day any suggestion that Marse Robert was not deserving of deep respect and admiration would have been treated as heresy. The general’s birthday was celebrated as a state holiday in Texas, and one of our counties honored his name.

I think I speak for my generation of Texans, in particular, and Southerners, in general, in saying how painful it has been to see General Lee’s name and legacy dishonored by the myopic woke crowd. For them, General Lee touched pitch by serving the Confederacy, and he is forever tarred. C. Michael Harrington Houston and Galveston, Texas TO THE EDITOR: Please pass along to Stephen Davis my applause for his very fine column on Robert E. Lee published in the January 2023 issue of Civil War News. It was informative and timely. I look forward to each issue of Civil War News and enjoy the feature articles, as well as, the regular columns. Wayne Diehl Montpelier, VA