Re: Lee not vs. Lincoln? Why?
All true. After the war, Lee was tired. He had heart trouble. He was not being actively pursued as a war criminal. I believe he felt that if he said too much against the union, southern diehards would have tried to institute guerrilla war, which Lee knew would be a disaster. He wanted to enjoy his position at Washngton (and Lee) University, and spend his days at peace with his family. Plus, he really did feel Grant had given such generous surrender terms with the full knowledge and agreement of Lincoln, who is said to have told Grant to "let 'em up easy." He was well aware of the mindsets of the survivors of the Lincoln cabal. What would he have gained in an attack upon them? Don't forget Lee was dead before the worst part of reconstruction took place. Stan