Confederates weren’t traitors

I viewed a striking anomaly in Johnny Erp’s July 11 letter. How anyone could be so correct about one thing, yet so wrong on another, is beyond me.

Erp is correct in asserting slavery was the root cause of the Civil War. Had there been no slavery, there would have been no Civil War. North and South would have worked out their differences amicably and peacefully. Slavery was the one great irreconcilable difference they just could not come to terms on.

Erp is wrong when he labels soldiers of the Confederacy “traitors.” Most never owned a slave. In their own minds, they were simply defending home, hearth, family and their way of life from an invader. In the vast spectrum of military history, you will never find an army that fought so doggedly, tenaciously, courageously, skillfully and with such skimpy resources as the Confederate Army. It was never defeated completely on the battlefield, yet teetered on the brink of total victory more than just once or twice against a vastly superior foe.

The Confederate battle flag always has and continues to send a chill surging through me every time I view it. My nation’s heritage – long may it live (and wave, perhaps).

Dennis Roberts

Spokane