[font=Bitter, Georgia,]But Dr. Robertson, while revering Lee, isn’t averse to what he considers valid criticisms of the general. “His tendency to give verbal and imprecise orders was a weakness he never overcame. His dislike of face-to-face confrontations, and failure to levy criticism when it was warranted, showed a ‘lack of thunder’ whose presence was sometimes needed. Certainly Lee would have profited from a larger staff. … Lee’s aggressiveness led to much risk taking, and in the battles of Malvern Hill and Gettysburg the result was defeat. A valid criticism of the general was his reluctance to interfere with his lieutenants once a battle had begun. Lee consistently displayed a trust in lieutenants undeserving of such confidence. After the seven Days’ Campaign, only ‘Stonewall’ Jackson regularly lived up to Lee’s expectations. Historians tend to ignore what may well have been Lee’s greatest weakness: ill health.” [p. xix] Of course, Jackson’s performance during the Seven Days was itself a disappointment to the confederates.[/font]
