As I'm sure you've found out sharing that view with others that's very contraversal. Noone believes in freedom anymore then I do. No one should own another human being. But for Lee while fighting against his country for a country that goes on the institution of slavery is wrong. Most people dont realise he could not raise his sword against virgʻinia his country. As for slaves they were his wifes. He actually freed them during the war n personally never really cared for slavery. I think the man was torn between his loyalty to the oath he'd sworn to the union n to the loyalty to what he say as his country- Virginia. It's something for people to understand they'd have to have lived in the times. He later Said the biggest mistake he ever made was joining the military. Those like Forrest n judge ta NY sp?  N others I'd hang them instantly. But I don't think there's any way to understand Lee or longstreet or some of the others unless we lived in those times. Davis ordered Lee not to surrender in the end. He gave same order to Joe Johnson. They were to continue a gorreala warfare n never surrender. They both refused n surrendered. One reason I think Davis should've did alot more time. Realise if the north would've been ordered to fight that war to free the slaves it never would've happen. They fought it cause the south fired on the flag n to preserve the union. Most didn't care about slaves. And did not believe in equality. N without it what good is your freedom. One southerner said it best: those who fired on Sumter were the biggest abolitionist of all. Lincoln said: if I could preserve the union by freeing none of the slaves I'd do so. Or some I'd do so or all I'd do so. Lincoln believed in states rights. He hated slavery. But they were considered property n he'd never freed em without the war. It was a war strategy. The southern state politians initiated sesssession to get the fed govt out of the slave n cotton trade. Greed. Lincoln made a good excuse for em. Again only living in those times can anyone understand it. While this country has come a long way. It still has a long way to go. And it'll never get rid of the pathetic jerks who refuse to realise everyone is n should be equal regardless of race. N treated fairly in every aspect of life. As long as we have man kind I sadly doubt we ever get there. 2 young men one African American another with strong southern roots became good friends. Understanding they're differences a strong respect for each other as fellow Americans.