My beef with Robert Lee is that he chose to be loyal to a state instead of his oath and his position in the army. Had he stayed in the US Army, he would certainly have brought to whole bloody mess to a fast end. As it came to be, his talent caused many more young men of both sides to die or be maimed and to no end, since the result was still a surrender of the southern forces and wholesale starvation and ruin of a country.
I respect you and your views - and thank you for your service.
Semper Fi! (Vietnam 1966-7)
Looking at it from todays point of view I can see your point; but remember before the civil war states rights were a very big thing. Lee did what honor at that time compelled him to and he probably knew what the out come would be. When a mostly agriculture region goes up against an industrial region winning would be a longshot.