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What I’m getting from all the very informative posts, is this. Lee’s underlying feelings towards the loss of the war, state rights, the United States Goverment, the negro race and the Northern enforcement of reconstruction rules on the south were anything but acceptable to Lee. Deep down inside he was bitter and resentful. So restentful it came to the surface in private correspondences, private conversations and unfinished essays. He could not do all that he potentially could have to support the effort because he was unhappy with the entire situation. Grant recognizing Lee’s halfhearted efforts made the comment Lee was behaving poorly. The truth be known, the man was incapable of championing a cause he was quitly seething about. At least that’s my take so far. I have read two biographies on Lee that have not given the reader even a glimpse of this side of Lee. The Marble Man had been placed on his pedestal and there he remains untarnished, beyond scrutiny. Good thread so far. I’m enjoying all the interaction.