Traitor is the opposite of honorable.
He wasn’t a traitor.
Lee’s primary allegiance like that of so many people back then, was to his state - Virginia. Even in the Union army troops were organized on the state level.
Lee was in a very troubling position - fight with the North against his own state, neighbors and family or surrender his position in the U.S. Military.
I don’t think we should question his morality or ethics and I certainly would no more accuse him of being a traitor than I would accuse southerners who fought with the Union of being traitors to the south. It was a troubling time with few good answers.
BE GONE FOOL: madison10
I'm no fan of the CSA or the cause for which it fought, but this ignores the circumstances of the time.
Two Army officers from VA were in 1860 faced with the choice of treason to their State or to their Nation.
Thomas chose to remain loyal to his nation and was convicted of treason against his State, his property was confiscated and disowned by his family. He went on to become one of the greatest of Union generals.
Lee chose to remain loyal to his State. His property was confiscated by the USA and converted into a military cemetery. He went on to become the greatest of Confederate generals.
Both were great men and great Americans. Each was faced with a choice between treasons, with the only alternative to betraying one or the other of their allegiances being a refusal to serve, probably by leaving the country. Both made honorable choices.