True patriotism sometimes requires of men to act exactly contrary, at one period, to that which it does at another, and the motive which impels them the desire to do right is precisely the same.

He soon emerged as a shrewd tactician and battlefield commander winning numerous battles against far superior Union armies. Union General Ulysses S. Grant's campaigns bore down on the Confederacy in 1864 and 1865 and despite inflicting heavy casualties Lee was unable to turn the war's tide.