Lee's Masterpiece?

[ben_ross]

Which battle do you all think was Lee's greatest. I have heard arguments or Chancellorsville, 2nd Manassas, and Fredericksburg. What do you all think?

[bokscar]

Probably 2d Manassass. Although it depends on how you define "greatest". It can be argued that if he had not won the Seven Days, Lee wouldn't have had a chance to win any of his other victories.

[gray_ghost]

I would say Chancellorsville was his greatest victory. The Seven Days was General Lee's first victory as the commander of the Army of Northern Virginia, and was a pivotal one as well.

[max]

Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville were the two biggest for me. I would give the edge to Chancellorsville.

Max

I think Lee's greatest battle(s) was the one he waged to keep the peace between his subordinates. Much less get them to cooperate.

[max]

I know that there was alot of friction between officers in the western theater, what were some of the problems that Lee faced?

Max

[johan_steele]

His battle for peace and reconcilliation after the war, he waged it w/ honor and integrity. As to the War, 2nd Manasas.

Max,
Oh goodness. The list would be quite long. I will hit on just a couple. Jackson alone would have tied up the military courts for decades had it not been for Lee.
Both Longstreet and A.P. Hill were very hostile towards Jackson after being hung out on a limb at the Seven Days battle. Then Hill and Longstreet got into a squabble shortly after because of some newspaper articles. The squabble passed the challenging and accepting of a duel by both parties. Then Lee forbid that and Hill requested transfer. Longstreet said he had no problems with that and Lee acquiesced. Lee very carefully informed Jackson he would have no problems with Hill if he kept his division commanders aware of what they had to do and when. Jackson promptly ignored that suggestion. Hill was constantly in trouble with Jackson. At Antietum, Hill was under arrest from the beginning of the campaign. Lee had a very intense conversation with Jackson and Hill one day to finally bring and end to the problem(s). (No one knows what was said, just that it was not pretty and Lee had his hands full) With limited results. Hill was still demanding his court martial and by rights should have received it had it not been for Jackson’s death.
Throw in all the rest. And there were lots. Lee had his hands more than full. How he did it is still amazing to me. It must have been like trying to herd cats.

YMOS
tommy

[8thvacav]

I think from the Wilderness To Petersburg. Lee out fought and blocked Grant all the way with a whole lot lees troops.
Martin

[eopfrank]

I also think that lee's efforts during Grant's Overland campaign were remarkable. Unfortunately for him, Grant had the resolve to keep moving forward and not retreat back; as most Generals would have done.

-Frank