Nothing wrong with speculation, per se, but ordinarily speculation is prompted by some fact or observation that doesn't seem to fit. However, idle speculation -- just stirring the pot to see what bobs up -- almost always leads nowhere. If there was some hint that Scott had briefed Lee on the Federal government's war plans, then further research is certainly warranted; but "must have" or "should have" speculation without anything to base it on doesn't qualify in my opinion.

However, speculate away, if you enjoy that sort of thing. I merely cited Lee's correspondence on the subject of his decision to resign his commission to help answer a question about his motives. If Lee had been a self-serving man, I might speculate that he had withheld important facts about his resignation. However, given the character of the man, the people to whom he was writing, as well as the circumstances around him, I don't believe that the general equivocated. Others may feel differently.