Lee had substantial influence over his postings, particularly in his later years with the US Army. Far from merely going where sent, he requested, and got permission for extended residence at Arlington to settle his father in law’s estate. That is why he happened to be available when John Brown raid in Virginia took place.
Lee, when he took command of the so called “Army of Northern Virginia” didn’t use calculated defensive tactics before Richmond. Rather he used attacks by Jackson’s corps, which mostly did not succeed, and cost the south 20,000 men.
Lee’s attacks destroyed an army. His own.
But there was no treason trial BECAUSE SESSION WAS NOT ILLEGAL OR UNCONSTITUTIONAL. Davis wanted, no begged is a better word, for a trial after Lincoln's pretend war to "preserve the Union". But the cowardly sniveling Yankees "victors" would not put their illegal war on trial. That really pisses you guys off doesn't it? Kind of ruins the party for you. Poor babies. You would just love to see Matthew Brady pictures of Lee swinging form a rope but alas you creeps have been denied your last "treat". The 'f' job on the South would have no climax.
Sic semper tyrannis.
Lee, when he took command of the so called “Army of Northern Virginia” didn’t use calculated defensive tactics before Richmond. Rather he used attacks by Jackson’s corps, which mostly did not succeed, and cost the south 20,000 men.
Lee’s attacks destroyed an army. His own.
Thank you for your reply.
It is indeed true that of the Battles of the Seven Days it is only Gaines Mill that would be considered an absolute Confederate Victory, but Lee was brought in in the fourth quarter, down two touchdowns. Jackson weakened McLellan all that could be done, by playing Harry in the Valley Campaign, and with that done, Lee had to acccept huge risk and sacrifice to keep the War from ending in Spring of 1862 (it amazes me how few historians seem willing to admit how close McLellan, for all his faults, came to achieving this.)
With respect to Lee as a slaveowner, I would simply say that it is inaccurate to describe him as either a forward-looking humanitarian abolitionist or as a cruel plantation master; he was a career military man who primarily lived in Army housing, ate Army food, and breathed in air smelling of Army mule poop - not Mint Juleps and barbeque.
When I characterize him as a man of honor, I would caution anyone listening that it is awkward to judge the moral struggles of the leading figures of that time through a one-hundred-fifty year long lens.
I would also repeat that Picket was, in fact, a scumbag war criminal by the standards of his day as well as ours, and there was plenty of justification to hang him. That's why he fled the country after the war.