What if R.E. Lee had joined Virginia

[whitworth]

to defend his state, but knowing through his long military experience, that the Confederacy could not defend a good deal of its territory.

[OpnDownfall]

I am not sure what is wanted here. Historically, that is what actually happended.
It was only happenstance that Lee got a command at all, but he always realized the odds against a Confederate success in the war, were long, at best.
Lee did not follow his intellect in siding with Va. but his heart.

[Jamieva]

I'm confused what you are looking for here.