"Lee was a good man, a fair commander, who had everything in his favour. He was a man who needed sunshine. He was supported by the unanimous voice of the South; he was supported by a large party in the North; he had the support and sympathy of the outside world. All this is of an immense advantage to a general. Lee had this in a remarkable degree. Everything he did Whs right. He was treated like a clemi-god. Our generals had a hostile press, lukewarm friends, and a public opinion outside. The cry was in the air that the North only won by brute force: that the generalship and valour were with the South. This has gone into history, with so many other illusions that arc historical. Lee was of a slow, conservative, cautious nature, without imagination or humour, always the same, with grave dignity. I never could see in his achievements what justifies his reputation. The illusion that nothing but heavy odds beat him will not stand the ultimate light of history. I know it is not true."

U.S. Grant

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David Upton