While I was at work yesterday one of my colleges ( a fellow civil war buff) asked a very good what if question I thought. So here it is.
What if Robert E Lee accepted Lincoln's request to head the Army of Union at the beginning of the war. How would have that have changed things around or would it have.
I have benn thinking on this and for he life of me can't really nail a theory down so I give it to you to ponder.
Paul

Lee would have been on the winning side...

And Arlington National Cemetery would be elsewhere, rather than on his property.

Mika H.

Early Union victory? Civil War is a minor insurrection and not a war against slavery? No emacipation proclamation in 1863?

Remember though... early in the war Lee did not have a high reputation unitl after the Seven Days. Maybe he would have done as poorly as "Granny" Patterson did considering the pressure Lincoln and congress put on him...

Good question though...

I see your point J and it is a valid one indeed, but Lee was nominated by Winfeild Scott at the onset of the war.When he decided to retire and Lincoln asked for a name. I guess the thing I am stuck on is he would have had the likes of Butler, McClennan, and Grant as his Lieutenants. Not Longstreet, Stonewall, and Forrest. Plus as you mentioned the political pressure from Washington..
It would be Lee fighting w/o his Lieutenants that has stuck on whether the war would have been quicker. It was his plans and the fact that his lieutenants could execute them to the letter and beyond that made him great as a military leader..
But both you and Mika have made great points to consider also..

Lee most likely would have done adequately, but he would have been stuck with some poor if not jealous subordinates, such as McClellan and Pope. So while he may not have lost say Bull Run, he might not have had an easy time of it.

The flip side to this is, who but Lee could have put together the appartatus/leadership that made the Confederate Army what it was. Longstreet was cetainly capable, but could he have handled the political squabblings? I think the upshot would have been a significantly shortened war.

Actually Lee was handed his army already with the lieutenants in place under Joseph Johnston when he was wounded Lee just took over command before that he (Lee) was an advisor to Jeff Davis.

Ok try this what IF George Washington had fought for the British. Hmmmmmmmm