Even in 1864–65, when their backs were to the wall and they had barely strength enough to parry their adversary’s heavier blows, the Army of Northern Virginia essayed several offensive counterstrokes. The incongruity between Lee’s private character as a humane, courteous, reserved, kindly man, the very model of a Christian gentleman, and his daring, aggressive, but costly tactics as a general is one of the most striking contrasts in the history of the war.
