Today in History and its Relevance to today

April 11, 1865, Lee surrenders at Appomatux.

Being a northerner, I have a less romantic perspective on the Civil War. I find it heinously gruesome, badly fought tactically...criminally so. I find few heros arising from the conflict, but there are obvious ones. Lincoln, of course; Frederick Douglas; Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, and thousands of soldiers of higher and lesser virtue. Yes, most for me are affiliated with the North. Lee and other Southern figures had some good qualities, some more than others. But you know, there were folks like Rommel in the Second World War and they had their good points too.

Ultimately, the CAUSE you fight for determines the prism in which I, at least, view a figure. Lee fought for the side that he knew at the time was morally wrong on slavery for another cramped principal of fighting for his home. It's all very chivalrous...and morally bankrupt. I give some slack to Lee, as I give to any person trapped within their time, but ultimately, how much slack can you really give a man that chooses to fight for the side advocating the maintenance of human bondage?

Do we really have to consider the consequences of history to wonder how we are in danger of being viewed in 140 years for our current actions?

Steve Gilliard it turns out has a wonderful post on this very topic.