I know some of my friends would be quick to point out the birthday of Robert E. Lee on Monday (Jan 19th) as well that National Holiday. Some states celebrate Lee’s birthday.
But would have known this quote from Lee? “So far from engaging in a war to perpetuate slavery, I am rejoiced that Slavery is abolished. I believe it will be greatly for the interest of the South. So fully am I satisfied of this that I would have cheerfully lost all that I have lost by the war, and have suffered all that I have suffered to have this object attained. ~ General Robert E. Lee, May 1, 1870″
In March 1861 he was made colonel of the 1st U.S. Cavalry; but his career in the old army ended with the secession of Virginia in the following month. Lee was strongly averse to secession, but felt obliged to conform to the action of his own state. The Federal authorities offered Lee the command of the field army about to invade the South, which he refused. Resigning his commission, he made his way to Richmond and was at once made a major-general in the Virginian forces. A few weeks later he became a brigadier-general (then the highest rank) in the Confederate service. (Source: Sons of the South Website)
But would have known this quote from Lee? “So far from engaging in a war to perpetuate slavery, I am rejoiced that Slavery is abolished. I believe it will be greatly for the interest of the South. So fully am I satisfied of this that I would have cheerfully lost all that I have lost by the war, and have suffered all that I have suffered to have this object attained. ~ General Robert E. Lee, May 1, 1870″From the Archives — originally published on the Opelika Daily News on January 18, 2009. View the original page.
