I just want to weigh in and so this is a good thread. I admire Lee as a great military leader. Not perfect nor without error but certainly one of the best of all time. However, it is Lee the man I admire most. I learn more from his conduct in defeat than I ever did from studying anybody else's victories.

Lee quite literally suffered the trials of Job. He lost his daughter, his fortune, his rank and career even many friends. He saw his sons taken prisoners of war. He lost a war that saw him sacrifice his own health and his family's best interest. Yet he held to his faith and ideals. Most of all he humbled himself before his God. What else can a man do that would exceed his example?