The Myth of the Kindly General Lee

[The Magistrate]

6. The Thing Was Poorly Phrased, Sir

In the parlance of the day 'conventional war' would indicate an emphasis on offensive operations, and taking capture of the enemy's capitol as a chief object of strategy. By taking the offensive, and invading the north on several occasions, even though he was outnumbered, and the south seriously outclassed in terms of industrial potential, Lee squandered resources a 'Fabian' policy of delay and defense would have conserved. The only hope the south had of victory was not seizing Washington D.C., as Lee was convinced, it was simply to last out the thing until the north tired of the bother.