In the American Civil War OTL, Robert E Lee would not fight against his own country (Virginia). If Virginia declared neutrality what would Lee do?
OR, like I tried to get with my title:
Could Robert E Lee help build Virginia into its own country, with the help of his countrymen? I know Virginia had manpower, and it was very defendable. Is this even realistic, using any POD?
If Viginia declared itself neutral, than there's nothing holding Lee back from becoming an American hero during the War Between the States. His one major reason for fighting for the Confederacy (he was a smart man and a good commander, he could not have possibly thought they had a chance) was that he would not raise his sword against his fellow Virginians. Instead of being reviled as a traitor, he becomes a great hero, maybe replacing Grant (who is set as a minor Western Theater general for the rest of his days) as THE hero of the War.
I doubt very much that he'd try to turn it into a nation. Lee was not a traditional Southerner in the strictest sense; again, his only objection to becoming the head of the Northern war effort (it was offered to him) was fighting Virginia. Had it declared itself neutral or joined the North, he would have become the head of the Northern army. Besides, unless I've missed something, Lee was not the most influencial son of Virginia; he wasn't even the first Southern choice for general of the Army of Norther Virginia. Of course, the Southerners had major problems about appointing politicians rather than soldiers. So did the North, but....I digress.
But yeah, I can't see a scenario where Lee tries to set up a Virginian nation. He wasn't influencial before his promotion to Commander, and was a patriot after he was a traditional Southerner. Kind of wish it had happened like this...I liked Lee....