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Retrograde

(11,439 posts)

20. Lee had the "good fortune" to die soon after

Reply to bigtree (Original post)

Sat Apr 11, 2015, 02:30 PM

Apr 2015

Post Civil War, Lee became head of a small college in Virginia, and was dead by 1870, so he was able to go out relatively untarnished. Grant lived on in a more public life: while he had some accomplishments as president of the US he was tarnished by the Credit Mobilier scandal, among others.

It's interesting that the most common reproduced photos of the two men tend to show Lee impeccably groomed and dressed in his best uniform and formally posed, while Grant is shown unshaven and scruffy slouching in the field.

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How did Civil War champion become a disgraced figure, and the champion of slavery become a hero? [View all] bigtree Apr 2015 OP

Well, for one thing, Grant was a pretty bad president. malthaussen Apr 2015 #1

read the article bigtree Apr 2015 #2

Because I was answering the literal question, malthaussen Apr 2015 #4

as I said bigtree Apr 2015 #5

Well, you can toss in "is regarded" to the statement about his presidency if you want. malthaussen Apr 2015 #9

great summation, Mal bigtree Apr 2015 #10

I suppose Grant was a bad president tabasco Apr 2015 #12

Reagan was re-elected in a landslide, what's your point? malthaussen Apr 2015 #14

Reading comprehension not your strong suit? tabasco Apr 2015 #17

how would you describe the reflexive view expressed by so many when referring to him bigtree Apr 2015 #16

Thank you. This is a history that I was not aware of. And the sad thing is we are still fighting it. jwirr Apr 2015 #3

good question about his presidential paper repository bigtree Apr 2015 #6

That does make some kind of sense. jwirr Apr 2015 #8

Ultimately, Lee was the worse general Telcontar Apr 2015 #7

Lee made major mistakes n2doc Apr 2015 #18

� bigtree Apr 2015 #11

Very interesting. Thanks for this post. panader0 Apr 2015 #13

glad to find some readers bigtree Apr 2015 #15

Thank you for this OP! Interesting thread, too. scarletwoman Apr 2015 #19

Lee had the "good fortune" to die soon after Retrograde Apr 2015 #20