Once the Civil War ended, the highest political and military leaders of the Confederacy were all potentially guilty of treason, according to the constitutional definition of the crime. While Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, and Nathan Bedford Forrest had different situations, they were all technically guilty of treason, but each one of them was punished differently.
As one of the most well known war heroes of his time, Robert E. Lee was also one of the most distinguished and respected generals in the United States. Though he was against secession and slavery, he betrayed his oath of office to side with the Confederacy in order to defend his native state, Virginia. While serving the Confederacy, he was the Commander of the Army of Northern Virginia. …show more content…
Prior to being elected, Davis was a member of the House of Representatives and the Senate. As a slaveowner, Davis believed in the importance of slavery in the South. Unlike Robert E. Lee, Davis was often labeled as a “traitor.” Though they were both Confederate leaders, their differences are seen when the Civil War comes to an end. Robert E. Lee surrendered with honor to General Ulysses S. Grant at the Battle of Appomattox Court House in 1865. Lee was not charged with treason, and spent no time in prison. On the other hand, Jefferson Davis fled south in an attempt to regroup the Confederacy in order to keep fighting. The government could have charged Davis for the mistreatment of Union prisoners of war, or for leading a rebellion against the United States, but many Americans were unsure on how to punish him. Instead, Jefferson Davis was charged with treason against the United States, and this caused him to be imprisoned for two years, but he was later released with no further punishment. However, the 14th Amendment already punished Davis by forbidding him from holding public offices in the
As one of the most well known war heroes of his time, Robert E. Lee was also one of the most distinguished and respected generals in the United States. Though he was against secession and slavery, he betrayed his oath of office to side with the Confederacy in order to defend his native state, Virginia. While serving the Confederacy, he was the Commander of the Army of Northern Virginia. …show more content…
Prior to being elected, Davis was a member of the House of Representatives and the Senate. As a slaveowner, Davis believed in the importance of slavery in the South. Unlike Robert E. Lee, Davis was often labeled as a “traitor.” Though they were both Confederate leaders, their differences are seen when the Civil War comes to an end. Robert E. Lee surrendered with honor to General Ulysses S. Grant at the Battle of Appomattox Court House in 1865. Lee was not charged with treason, and spent no time in prison. On the other hand, Jefferson Davis fled south in an attempt to regroup the Confederacy in order to keep fighting. The government could have charged Davis for the mistreatment of Union prisoners of war, or for leading a rebellion against the United States, but many Americans were unsure on how to punish him. Instead, Jefferson Davis was charged with treason against the United States, and this caused him to be imprisoned for two years, but he was later released with no further punishment. However, the 14th Amendment already punished Davis by forbidding him from holding public offices in the