Letter to the editor: Judging Robert E. Lee by 1862 standards

The letter “Don’t judge Robert E. Lee by 2022 standards” (Dec. 31, TribLIVE) urges us recognize that Robert E. Lee was a patriotic Virginian who only objected to the use of federal forces to solve the question of slavery. He came to that opinion fashionably late.

The 1850 Fugitive Slave Act commanded federal marshals to invade the North to pursue escaped slaves. This was necessary because Northern state governments and citizens objected to slavery and refused to pursue runaways. So it was necessary for the federal government to use force against these states to impose its will on the issue of slavery. Lee didn’t object at the time.

When Lee went to war, his opinion on invasions changed once again. During the Gettysburg campaign, Lee’s army shelled the town of Carlisle, which was essentially defenseless. You can still see the damage on several carefully preserved buildings. His forces also took Black freedmen prisoner, taking them back to the South to be enslaved. This was fine by Lee.

Lee put off taking a stance on the issue until it threatened his right to own slaves. A procrastinator! We’ve all been there.

Daniel Kline

Delmont