Robert E Lee was born today in 1807. He was a gentleman and one of the finest generals any country has produced. Abhorrent though slavery was, several men who fought for the South in the American Civil War didn't own slaves and didn't themselves approve. They were fighting for other causes, like state rights against the centralizing tyranny of Washington. Everybody, on both sides, treated Lee with respect and a way of life came to an end when he surrendered to General Grant at Appomattox Court House in April 1865. His last words, years later on his death bed were 'Strike the tents!'
How cool is that?
In other news ...
Many of you will know that I am a dedicated cyclist. White Surrey and I have rattled along more West Sussex roads than you've had parking tickets and so I say 'Huzzah!' in remembrance of this day in 1903 when the first Tour de France was contested. It was journalist Henri Desgrange's idea that sixty blokes would pedal like maniacs for 3000 miles from Paris to Marseilles and back again. It was to be done in six steps over three weeks. I reckon Surrey and I could do it in two hours thirty. Oh, all right then, two hours thirty eight, allowing for the head wind.
By the way, there was no Lycra in 1903; heady days.
