Traveller * Lee * Grant Vs Lee Vs Cinderella
Traveller
Traveller was Robert E Lee’s primary horse during most of the Civil War, and for the rest of his life. Lee and Traveller were seldom parted until Lee’s death. No matter what front, what battle, what generals or armies, if Lee was there he rode in on Traveller. So, Im calling the chair that I am sitting in now Traveller in honor of that noble horse. Traveller (the chair) is a green, leather bound, club style chair that belonged to my grandfather Sidney Montague. Most of my memories of grandfather Montague involve him sitting in this same chair smoking (drinking?) and probably watching golf on tv. Traveller (the chair) is showing the ravages of time & hard living, but is still remarkably comfortable. Iv had Traveller (the chair) with me through 5 or more offices, three distinct career changes & various desks- computers – etcetera. Traveller (the chair) like Traveller (the horse) doesn’t have a direct impact on the job at hand, but is still an indispensable constant that makes everything else just work better.
From time to time I toy with the idea of having Traveller (the chair) recovered, but Im not sure I can part with him for that long…
Lee
If you were looking for a single figure to represent the tragedy of the American Civil War, you could do a lot worse than picking Robert E. Lee. Lee was a loyal American, and he was a high ranking officer in the American army, but he was a Virginian first. He did not want Virginia to secede from the union, and he did not want Virginians to take up arms against the union, and even initially turned down the offers to lead the confederate forces, as well as Lincoln’s invitation to lead the Union forces. But the war happened anyway, and there he was running around with Traveller from battle to battle — trying to do a good job and secure Virginia’s and the south’s freedom. Its important to take a closer look at that last bit. The south was fighting for Independence, not to subjugate the north, I don’t think Lee would have gone for that. But even that apparently noble cause is flawed, because the freedom that sparked the conflict was the right to own slaves and perpetuate slavery. Lee’s personal tragedy in the Civil War was compounded when his personal Estate, Arlington House was turned into Arlington National Cemetery. Lee never went home.
Grant Vs Lee
Lord — are we going to go there again? OK — lets not. Cinderella? Oh yea — I’m working on a new sculpture and its causing me fits. I’m on the third major overhaul. After the first try bogged down I started something *new*, but *that* turned back into: Cinderella 11:59
wellyoucankeepthepunkrockskarapbeatsandhousefuckmei’mtwee — yes I am
Robert E. Lee never went back to Arlington, but he did eventually find a new home. After the Civil War he was invited to be the president of a small Southern college called Washington College. He accepted and moved his entire family, including Traveller, to Lexington, Virginia. He lived there in peace for the rest of his life and took pride in educating many soldiers who had served in the war. In honor of his service to the college it was renamed Washington and Lee University after his death. Both he and Traveller are buried on campus, Lee entombed inside Lee Chapel and Traveller just outside the humble church. Ironically, Lexington was also the home of General Lee’s right-hand man, Stonewall Jackson. The neighboring military academy, Virginia Military Institute, was where Jackson taught and helped many young Southern gentlemen learn the “art” of war. Unfortunately Jackson did not make it through the Civil War. He is buried (minus his arm, which he lost in battle) in a cemetery in Lexington. His home is now a museum. I often wondered if Lee visited his friend’s grave from time to time and lamented the fact that they never lived in the charming town of Lexington at the same time. As an alum of Washington and Lee University I am proud of President Lee and the way he conducted himself with honor through a terrible war. His tomb is always strewn with fresh flowers, and Traveller’s grave often has sugar cubes and carrots arranged nearby in sweet tribute to a faithful friend.
Most interesting stuff, drewl. You did not really write “succeed” from the union. It must be a fig newton of my imagination.
Very cool elaboration, Mr Kaj.
Thanks for the comments guys- What can I say: nothing secedes like secession?