History has been kind to Robert E. Lee, but immediately after the Civil War many northerners believed Lee should be hanged for treason and war crimes. In June of 1865 Robert E. Lee was indicted for treason by a Norfolk, Virginia grand jury. Reeves tells the story of the forgotten legal and moral case that was made against the Confederate general after the Civil War. The actual indictment went missing for 72 years, and has both literally and figuratively disappeared from our national consciousness. -- Adapted from the jacket.

Introduction: Reevaluating Robert E. Lee --"I am aware of having done nothing wrong & cannot flee." -- "They shall suffer for this, they shall suffer for this." -- "Hands dripping with the blood of slaughtered innocents." -- "When can these men be tried?" -- "The world forgetting, by the world forgot." -- " ... rather as a demon than a man." -- "There is General Lee, as hungry for the gallows as Davis." -- "Gen. Lee a woman whipper." -- "It used to be fashionable to try a man before they hanged him." -- " ... this noble man died 'a prisoner of war on parole.'" -- " ... you gentleman that use the pen should see that justice is done us.".