15 AUGUST 1987, Page 21

Fond of war

Sir: Mr Welch wonders who said, 'It is well that war is so terrible, else we would grow too fond of it,' in his review 'Some of the Mud Sticks' (Books, 25 July). It was Robert E. Lee at Fredericksburg, watching

the battle from a hill. It was one of his greatest victories, but was fought in snow and mist, in mid December; he was awe- struck by what he could see taking place.

C. A. Latimer.

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