Confederate+Generals+-+Robert+E.+Lee

Robert E. Lee was arguably the greatest general to ever live and serve his country. Although he was not victorious, he led the Army of Northern Virginia time and time again into harm’s way to defend the Confederate States of America. Lee singlehandedly prolonged the Civil War and the orders he gave kept the Confederacy fighting for longer than anyone thought possible. · Born January 19th, 1807 · Parents were Henry ‘Light Horse Harry’ Lee and Anne Hill Carter Lee · Family abandoned by his father when he was 3 o 4 other siblings o Taught self-denial, self-control, duty, honor, country o Had to take care of his mother when older · This taught him responsibility, duty, matured him. Drive to uphold family honor propelled him in what he did- follow in fathers and forefathers footsteps in military service · Enrolled in the United States Military Academy in 1825 · Graduated 2nd in his class in 1829, without a demerit an achievement no one else has accomplished o Engineer – in his era, was the most demanding and sought after branch · Went to school with people like Jefferson Davis (class of 1828), Joe Johnston, Thomas Jackson, Albert Sydney Johnston · Trained him to be a military leader, introduced him to the people he commanded and worked with · Served in the army all his life after graduation of USMA as an engineer · Served with distinction on the staff of General Winfield Scott in Mexican War o gave him important experience o Scott called him the “very best solider he had ever seen in the field.” · Served 4 years as Superintendent of West Point o Met JEB Stuart there · Married Mary Anna Randolph Custis o 4 daughters, 3 sons · Deeply religious · Reserved, not prone to taking direct command but rather issuing ‘suggestions’ o Hurt war effort · Set his slaves free on December 29, 1863 · Offered command of the Yankee armies by Lincoln; turned down had to fight for state · Took command of Virginia soldiers as brigadier general – took him 13 months to become commander of army of northern Virginia · Had instant success – drove Yankee invaders back in the 7 days Campaign · Waged a series of battles in northern Virginia designed to keep the Yankees at bay rather than offensively win the war o Attacked into the North on two occasions – at Antietam and Gettysburg § Antietam – tactical draw, Northern moral victory, forced to retreat back to Virginia § Gettysburg – utter failure o After Gettysburg, waged an even more defensive war, continually falling back as pressured inflicting heavy casualties on the Yankees o Eventually pressed to Appomattox, where he surrendered on April 9th, 1865 · Lee was the representative of the South – Southerners looked to him for guidance on how to act o Model citizen – lead an effort for reconciliation rather than continued division o Treated with respect everywhere in the South § House confiscated by Yankees · Worked as President of Washington College after war o Expanded the college greatly – to educate Christian gentlemen to lead the South · Died October 12, 1870 o College renamed Washington and Lee
 * Robert E. Lee **
 * Young Life**
 * College Preparation**
 * Military History**
 * Personal Life/quirks**
 * Civil War Experience**
 * Post war experience**