Today in history

On this day in history, 1865, General Robert E. Lee--one of the greatest Generals that this country has ever produced--surrendered what was left of the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Courthouse, bringing a virtual close to the War Between the States. And even though America's survival depended on a Union victory, it's still sad to watch an army collapse and a cause die, especially one that had been so well represented by so many brave men. Some would say that they fought for the right reasons, slavery notwithstanding. No one can deny that they fought valiantly however, and it's hard not to respect and admire an underdog who fights well and bests the expected champion at almost every turn.

And they were here, too. In Harpers Ferry Lee was here. So were Stonewall Jackson, Joe Johnston, and JEB Stuart. I never tire of walking the fields that they walked and looking at them as they must have seen them, envisioning the men, the horses, the cannon, the battle flags, and the hell that is combat. In the end, the question of States' rights was settled, perhaps not to the liking of many but for the eventual good of all. The result, however, does not detract from the effort and the achievements of the men on both sides, those in Union blue nor those in Confederate gray. They all fought and died as Americans, and on this day in 1865, the end of that fighting finally came and the national healing began.