I was at W&L for the time it took to have a cup of coffee (baseball term), but I still have a place in my heart for all things General.

Of late, Washington and Lee University has found itself embroiled in a controversy that strikes at the heart of its heritage and history, nd it saddens me. Seems the administration has taken a series of steps to eliminate all references to Robert E. Lee from the campus. Now, even Traveller, Lee’s loyal equestrian companion through some of the nation’s most historic battles, is in the crosshairs of this campaign.

Traveller was a horse. On four legs. 162 years ago.

It’s a situation that has left many, including alumni and other stakeholders, questioning the extent to which an institution should take things out of context and erase its own past.  The campaign to distance the university from Robert E. Lee’s legacy has been so comprehensive one wonders what else gets done in Lexington. Here’s a bit; 

1. Removed Lee’s portrait from Lee Chapel, along with the iconic Charles Wilson Peale portrait of George Washington.
2. Removed the Lexington Garden Club plaque outside of Lee Chapel due to its reference to Lee.
3. Eliminated all plaques referencing Lee within Lee Chapel.
4. Initiated the practice of closing the gates in Lee Chapel to block the view of the Recumbent Statue.
5. Supported the movement to remove Lee’s name from Washington & Lee (which failed to pass the relevant authorities).
6. Renamed Lee Chapel to “University Chapel.”
7. Removed the images of George Washington and Robert E. Lee from graduates’ diplomas.
8. Cancelled Founders’ Day.
9. Ordered the construction of a wall to permanently obscure the Recumbent Statue.
10. Removed two plaques in Payne Hall marking the location of Lee’s first office.
11. Removed the plaque from Traveller’s stall adjacent to the President’s house.

The latest development in this ongoing saga is the attempt to remove Traveller’s grave marker outside Lee Chapel, a marker that has held a special place in the hearts of many for decades. Children bearing apples for Lee’s horse and well-wishers placing pennies on the site have long recognized the historical significance of Traveller.

Traveller was a horse. On four legs. 162 years ago.

Preserving the legacy of Robert E. Lee doesn’t mean glorifying or condoning every aspect of his life. It means recognizing the historical significance of his contributions, as well as the challenges and complexities that come with them. It means encouraging open dialogue and debate, allowing different perspectives to be heard. I’m all for the importance of preserving our history, even when it’s uncomfortable or contentious.

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This painting is not meant to offend anyone. He was second in his class at West Point in 1829, and Superintendent from 1852-55. Lee was the General in Chief of the Armies of the Confederate States, and this was his horse and the flag he used until 1865.