Oh, there are men like him amongst us, of that I have no doubt.
It’s just that their true character hasn’t been revealed to us through struggle; indeed few knew of either Lee or Grant before the war.
I think that we will come to know them soon enough.
Lee was a hero of the Mexican War, distinguishing himself with with courage. He served as Superintendant of West Point and led the troops to put down John Brown’s raid on Harper’s Ferry. Lincoln offered him command of all Union armies, but he declined.
He was indeed well known and respected.