Gereral+Lee

Robert E. Lee



Robert Edward Lee was born on January 19, 1807, at "Stratford" in Westmoreland County, Virginia. On the date June 30,1831 he married Mary Ann Randolf Custis and had seven children. His three sons all served in the Confederate Army in hopes to follow in their father's footsteps. During the Mexican War he became Colonel and on 1862 he bacame Superintendent of Military Academy. At fist he really appreciated the Union and for the Constition, but he really didn't care for slavery.

When Virginia withdrew from the Union, Lee resigned his commission. His resignation was two days following the offer of Chief of Command of U.S. forces under Scott. He then proceeded to Richmond to become Commander-in-Chief of the military and naval forces of Virginia. He was then appointed Brig. Gen. in the Confederate States. Lee returned to Richmond to become military advisor for President Davis. Whenever he had figured out a plan, Lee took action automatically.

He had many victories and also many defeats. He stopped McClellan when he tried to attack Richmond during the Seven Days Battle. At the Battle of Second Manassas, Lee defeated Pope. At the Battle of Antietam, his Northern thrust was checked by McClellan, but he still stopped Burnside at Fredericksburg. Lee also defeated General Hooker at Chancellorsville, but was forced onto the defensive after Gettysburg. On April 9, 1865, Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at the village of Appomattox Court House.

He died on October 12,1870. His example of conduct for thousands of ex-Confederates made him a legend. General Robert E. Lee is buried at Lexington, Virginia.

Diamond Smith