"I have nothing but contempt for the man."
You display a complete ignorance of Lee and the great affinity which people from the 18th and 19th centuries had for their native states. During that era, the "United States" was often written as a plural subject in sentences rather than in the singular. This, of course, was decided on the field of battle. However, you are judging Lee with your 21st century frame of mind.
And, unless you have somehow transported yourself across time to speak with Washington, I see no basis for your statement that Washington would be ashamed of Lee. Washington shared Lee's passion for Virginia. For that matter, so did Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, James Madison to name only a few.
The early Virginians are greatly responsible for formation of the Nation we know today. And, that success was built upon the traditions of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Very true - if you saw Ken Burns' Civil War series (or as my husband calls it, "Boots.... belt buckle.... face", for the way it constantly scanned still photographs), you'll recall Shelby Foote saying that "Before the Civil War, people said, 'the United States ARE.' After the war, they said, 'the United States IS.' "
Read Washingon's farewell address.