General Orders Number Five

I've spent the last couple of posts talking about heroes. I think it is appropriate on this day of days to speak of the greatest hero of them all. Of course, I'm talking about the Lord Jesus. On this day, almost 2,000 years ago, he suffered beyond words to describe. He allowed Himself to be arrested, tried at a mockery of a trial, scourged almost to death, be sentenced to die though the "judge" found no guilt in Him, be crowned with a crown of thorns, and carry His cross through the city that He wept over a little less than a week before. "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and you would not!"

I was in Jerusalem a little less than a month ago and stood at the site of Golgotha -the place of the skull. There is bus station in front of that rocky hill now... but the skull remains. Just like it was on that day when Christ died for God and God was satisfied with Christ.

Around the corner from the bus station is the Garden Tomb. Whether it is the tomb or not doesn't matter to me. What matters is the sign on the door. "He is not here for He has risen!" For someone who desires to be a writer, I will confess, that no greater words can be written than these words -- for they contain the hope of mankind and the revelation of God that He has gathered us unto Himself.

When I began my adventure in all things Civil War, my first intensive study was Stonewall Jackson. It was the simple way he lived his Christianity that attracted me to his life. Stuart followed, then Lee. All the same. Men, who believed that He is not here for He has risen were the greatest words ever spoken, then allowed those words to be the guiding influence in their lives.

The story of God's love for man is the greatest story ever told, and the fact that I am allowed to partake of His goodness and mercy all the days of my life humbles me. On this day of all days, I remember that He came to earth, lived a sinless life, died on a cross, rose on the third day, and ascended into Heaven where he reigns at the right hand of the Majesty on High. And because He reigns... my sole duty is to repent and believe the good news. And it is good news! So, on this day of days, I will praise the greatest hero known to me.

I'm providing a link for Sandi Patty's Via Dolorosa. Sandi is my favorite singer and this song says what I'm trying to say much better. Enjoy. (The link is to the right "My Favorite Links" )








**This was posted from Tel Aviv, Israel on Good Friday at 7:12 a.m.

General Orders Number Two

I was doing some research for my novel when I ran across a series of reviews about a new biograpy about Lee. The Marble Man: Robert E. Lee and His Image in American Society by Thomas Lawrence Connelly. The book was published in 1978 so that should tell you how old the scholarly journals were that I was reading. LOL! I remember checking out Connelly's book when I first became interested in the Civil War. I read about three chapters and threw it down in disgust.

The reviewers on the other hand were not disgusted. They reveled in Connelly's bravery to take on an icon of American history and deconstruct him. Lee wasn't the paragon of virtue that the Lost Cause devotees had created. The myth of Lee was contrary to the the reality of Lee.

I had to ask myself what all the hoopla was about. The three chapters I read before my disgust took hold were poorly written, poorly researched, and based entirely on Connelly's opinion. It was bad history with one goal in mind. Destroy the reputation of Robert E. Lee. Which, the reviewers thought was a good thing, a brave thing, a necessary thing.

How many Civil War enthusiasts believe that Robert E. Lee was a flawed man just like the rest of us? How many Civil War enthusiasts believe that Robert E. Lee made mistakes when he led the Army of Northern Virginia? How many Civil War enthusiasts believe that Robert E. Lee's homelife might not have been all bliss considering Arlington House was home to his in-laws and his family of seven children (and some of them teenagers!!)? Lastly, how many Civil War enthusiasts believe that Robert E. Lee was frustrated in an army career that he found, at times, stifling and boring?

Now, I came to those conclusions about Lee reading Freeman, Dowdey, and other authors, so Connelly isn't ripping off my blinders and revealing something shocking or devastating. So, again, I ask why were the reviewers positively giddy about Connelly's courage?

Because they do not believe in heroes. For scholars, heroes are passe, the opium of the masses, something that they are duty bound to destroy for the good of humanity. A good, kind, and decent man like Lee must be deconstructed and destroyed. He cannot be allowed to exist in his virtue and his flaws. All Southerns were slave owners and that makes all those who fought in the Army of Northern Virginia racist, redneck, slavers. Oh, my! And no letter, document, diary, or account will convince these historians otherwise. That is how, in their infinite wisdom, they have presented the war in all their writings. So, that is the only truth they will receive.

That is why I threw down Connelly's book. I want my heroes. And Lee is one. I don't need a scholar to protect me from myself. I like the Lee I have come to know just fine. He's not perfect, but that's why he appeals to me. In this crucible called life, he lived for God,stayed true to his code of honor, fought for his home and family, and was an example for his men in battle and surrender. He can be an inspiration to me all these years later.

It's been over 25 years since Connelly's book was published. The poison he released into the historiography has had some effect on Lee's reputation. But not with me. Never with me. So, to all those scholars who think it is their mission to deconstruct Lee, Jackson, Stuart... I have just one thing to say. Get your grubby hands off my heroes!