Yes, Cattons purpose in comparing Lee and Grant was the same as his purpose in contrasting them. When Catton contrasted Lee and Grant he wanted to show just how different the men were. Catton was not trying to make either one of them look bad but wanted to show how even though they were brought up differently and had different views they both still fought for what they personally believed in and both ended up being highly respected generals. Catton highlighted the differences between Grant and Lee to show that in the end even though they believed differently they were good enough men to put their differences aside and made peace with each other at Appomattox. They both knew that if they stopped the fighting once and for all and showed the nation