A quick look at the last reference clearly shows the reason the courts originally sided with Lee was based on a simple technicality. The government had no right to take the land while still at war. The government had to make their claim of back tax confiscation in person to the owner. This was not done and thus not fair to the owner. You don't have to be citizen to own property in the US, you only have to show proof and intent to pay any taxes, which the court proved the Lee's were not given a chance to do so and the fact they had paid their taxes up until 1861...that the laws used to take it were from 1862, 63, and 64, and the Lee's were never approached in person to pay this new tax. This is not case of session or citizenship but common law property rights.