You're right Stan. It would have been a disaster. If that were the case, well, perish the thought!! Just don't want to contemplate the way that would have gone. Too messy. It's just my 'view' and not any factiod from another, more learned source, but having Lee in charge of the ANV may have kept the 'retribution' part of the post war from being uglier than it was. While other Generals were fine, well trained and of good reputation, Lee seemed to have something the others did not. Maybe they had 'it' but it wasn't as noticable. Every few centuries, there seems to be a conflict somewhere and years after the fact when the conflict is mentioned one name comes up. Not just for their military knowledge, or for their ability to understand the situation but because they also had the type of personality and leadership skills that brought out the very best in their men. Not only did he not let it feed his ego but he didn't let the position change him. Had it been any one of the other Generals at Appomattox the surrender agreement could have been a different picture. While his men would have followed him into the gates of hell, he understood there had to be 'humanity' added to the end result.
Pam