Robert e lee's life
Lee's Early Life
Robert Edward Lee was born on January 19th, 1807 in Stratford Hall, Virginia, thus starting his journey to become of of the most famous Confederate generals. His father, Henry Lee III otherwise known as Light-horse Henry Lee, was the ninth Governor of Virginia and was heavily involved with politics. Henry Lee graduated from Princeton and later he joined the Continental army and was promoted by George Washington, who he became very close with. Henry then resigned after the surrender at Yorktown. He married his cousin, Matilda (classy) and moved back to Stratford Hall, Virginia. Matilda died in 1790, eight years after their marriage, leaving their three children motherless. Henry then was elected Governor of Virginia, serving three one year terms and falling in love with Anne Hill Carter. With his three previous children, Henry Lee III married Anne Hill Carter in 1793. Robert Edward Lee was born on January 19th, 1807 and was named after Anne's favorite two brothers. Robert spent four years at Stratford and was the last Lee to be born at Stratford to survive maturity. Anne moved to a small house in Alexandria after Henry Lee could not afford the mansion (Stratford) in 1810. Henry Lee III fled to the West Indies to get away from various money problems in 1813. Then Robert's elder brother, Carter, left to attend Harvard in 1816, leaving very young Robert to take care of his sick mother and sisters. Henry Lee III died in an attempt to return to his family in Virginia on March 25, 1818 in Georgia. There was no money left for Robert to go to Harvard, so he left at 18 to attend the U.S Military Academy at West Point. Robert graduated at second in his class and elected to work for the Army's Engineer Corps. Robert then becomes the second lieutenant is assigned to Cockspur Island, Georgia. Robert then marries Mary Custis, the Great Granddaughter of Martha Washington, on June 30th, 1831. Mary gives birth to George Washington Custis Lee, Mary Custis Lee, and Rooney Lee. Robert gets a reputation during the 1830's for being a gifted civil engineer. Lee is then promoted to first lieutenant in September of 1836. During the Mexican-American War, Lee was called upon to assist General Winfield Scott because of his expertise in the engineering of battle. Lee was a rising star in the army when he returned to Virginia after the American victory in the Mexican-American War. Robert then becomes the superintendent of West Point Academy, where he attended college. At the age of 46, Lee becomes very in touch with his religion. Robert and May's oldest son, George graduates from West Point in 1854. Robert E. Lee has 7 kids in total with Anne.
Lee in the Civil War
Robert E. Lee was appointed by Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederate, to become Lieutenant Colonel of the second U.S Calvary in 1855. For this position, Lee moves South from Virginia to Texas. Robert returns to Virginia briefly to manage the family estate since Mary's father died. Lee returns to Texas in 1860. During the revolt of John Brown, where Brown led a slave uprising, leading 21 armed men to Harper's Ferry, Lee was at Harper's Ferry during the trail and hanging of John Brown in 1859. Fort Sumter was the first battle of the Civil War in April, 1861. Lee is then assigned by the governor of Virginia, John Letcher, to command the Virginia forces in the Confederate Army later that year. Jefferson Davis appoints Lee as his personal military advisor in 1862. Lee acquires a great victory at the Battle of Seven Days where he divides Union General McClellan's army into two and saves Richmond, the capital of the South in July of 1862, this was one of the most important battles for Lee because he saved the capital of the South, Richmond, from an attack from the Union. Lee also obtained another victory for the South at the Second Battle of Bull Run in August, 1862 where he pushed McClellan's troops back to Washington D.C, however Lee suffers heavy Confederate soldier losses as a result of this battle. Lee decides to launch the first attack on the North at the Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest battle of U.S military history with a total of about 22,000 deaths on the field and, one out of seven wounded soldiers died from wounds caused by the battle and even more died from disease. General McClellan finds the battle plans of Lee's army, wrapped around cigars. The Union got the upper hand on this battle because they found Lee's exact battle plan and prepared for his Lee's attack. Despite Lee's efforts, the Union won the Battle of Antietam. Lincoln was able to pass the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring all slaves in states opposing the North were free because of the Northern victory at Antietam. One of Lee's greatest victories is at the Battle of Fredericksburg in 1862 where he beat Union General Burnside, causing 12,000 deaths while losing only Southern 5,000 soldiers. This victory boosted the Southern spirits and General Burnside resigned. In 1863, Lee is overwhelmed with battle plans at the age of 56 and in worsening health. In the Battle of Chancellorsville, Lee got the Confederate a great victory, but also a massive loss. Lee was able to win the battle and beat Union General Joseph Hooker, despite the much larger Union forces. The Confederate however lost a great general, General "Stonewall" Jackson on May 10th, 1863 due to friendly fire. General Lee was also the general for the Battle of Gettysburg where the Confederates suffered a great loss in Pennsylvania. General Lee moved his army of about 60,000 men into Union territory. Lee hears of a great Union force in Gettysburg and orders all of his army to attack. The Union troops (about 3,000) gather at Cemetery Ridge (high ground), giving them a huge terrain advantage to defend the Union until re-enforcments arrive. The Union re-enforcements then arrive and the Union wins the Battle of Gettysburg; the Confederate states suffer a heavy defeat. Because of the great loss at Gettysburg, Lee tries to resign but, Davis, the president of the South, refuses. The Confederate army loses lots of power with the Overland Campaign, this engages Lee's army into twelve battles in seven weeks. The Confederates and Lee are declining in strength but still mange to kill 60,000 Union troops. The Battle of Atlanta gives even more power to the North. Because of this Union victory, Abraham Lincoln, president of the North, gets re-elected for his second four year term in 1864. However, Lee is not a major general in this battle. In the Winter of 1864-1865, the number Confederate troops in Virginia is low, so Lee enlists blacks to fight for the South. Many Southerners are shocked by this bold idea. Lee's most significant contribution during the Civil War was being one of the best and most famous Confederate generals. The last battle of the Civil war is at the Appomattox Court House, 1865. Lee's war journey ends when he surrenders to General Ulysses Grant of the Union on April 9th, 1865.
Lee After The Civil War
After the Civil war ended in 1865, Lee returned to his family at the age of 58. The Lee's move from Richmond, Virginia to Derwent, Virginia later that year. The family then moves to Lexington, Virginia in the Fall where Robert becomes president of Washington College. The college has since then changed it's name to Washington and Lee University. At the college, Lee was very strict and required weekly progress reports from all of the students, he also encouraged girls to join churches and attend church services. In 1866, Lee is called upon to deliver a testimony to the Joint Committee on Reconstruction. In his testimony, he had concerns about African American Rights and the political structure of the country. Robert E. Lee dies at the age of 63 on October 12th, 1870 in Lexington, Virginia with his family because of a severe stroke. On October 15th, Lee's coffin is paraded around Lexington, his ceremony/parade was filled with former Confederate soldiers, Washington College students, state politicians and Lee's family. Robert's funeral was at the Virginia Military Institute and he was buried in Lee Chapel, Lexington, Virginia.
Robert Edward Lee was born on January 19th, 1807 in Stratford Hall, Virginia, thus starting his journey to become of of the most famous Confederate generals. His father, Henry Lee III otherwise known as Light-horse Henry Lee, was the ninth Governor of Virginia and was heavily involved with politics. Henry Lee graduated from Princeton and later he joined the Continental army and was promoted by George Washington, who he became very close with. Henry then resigned after the surrender at Yorktown. He married his cousin, Matilda (classy) and moved back to Stratford Hall, Virginia. Matilda died in 1790, eight years after their marriage, leaving their three children motherless. Henry then was elected Governor of Virginia, serving three one year terms and falling in love with Anne Hill Carter. With his three previous children, Henry Lee III married Anne Hill Carter in 1793. Robert Edward Lee was born on January 19th, 1807 and was named after Anne's favorite two brothers. Robert spent four years at Stratford and was the last Lee to be born at Stratford to survive maturity. Anne moved to a small house in Alexandria after Henry Lee could not afford the mansion (Stratford) in 1810. Henry Lee III fled to the West Indies to get away from various money problems in 1813. Then Robert's elder brother, Carter, left to attend Harvard in 1816, leaving very young Robert to take care of his sick mother and sisters. Henry Lee III died in an attempt to return to his family in Virginia on March 25, 1818 in Georgia. There was no money left for Robert to go to Harvard, so he left at 18 to attend the U.S Military Academy at West Point. Robert graduated at second in his class and elected to work for the Army's Engineer Corps. Robert then becomes the second lieutenant is assigned to Cockspur Island, Georgia. Robert then marries Mary Custis, the Great Granddaughter of Martha Washington, on June 30th, 1831. Mary gives birth to George Washington Custis Lee, Mary Custis Lee, and Rooney Lee. Robert gets a reputation during the 1830's for being a gifted civil engineer. Lee is then promoted to first lieutenant in September of 1836. During the Mexican-American War, Lee was called upon to assist General Winfield Scott because of his expertise in the engineering of battle. Lee was a rising star in the army when he returned to Virginia after the American victory in the Mexican-American War. Robert then becomes the superintendent of West Point Academy, where he attended college. At the age of 46, Lee becomes very in touch with his religion. Robert and May's oldest son, George graduates from West Point in 1854. Robert E. Lee has 7 kids in total with Anne.
Lee in the Civil War
Robert E. Lee was appointed by Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederate, to become Lieutenant Colonel of the second U.S Calvary in 1855. For this position, Lee moves South from Virginia to Texas. Robert returns to Virginia briefly to manage the family estate since Mary's father died. Lee returns to Texas in 1860. During the revolt of John Brown, where Brown led a slave uprising, leading 21 armed men to Harper's Ferry, Lee was at Harper's Ferry during the trail and hanging of John Brown in 1859. Fort Sumter was the first battle of the Civil War in April, 1861. Lee is then assigned by the governor of Virginia, John Letcher, to command the Virginia forces in the Confederate Army later that year. Jefferson Davis appoints Lee as his personal military advisor in 1862. Lee acquires a great victory at the Battle of Seven Days where he divides Union General McClellan's army into two and saves Richmond, the capital of the South in July of 1862, this was one of the most important battles for Lee because he saved the capital of the South, Richmond, from an attack from the Union. Lee also obtained another victory for the South at the Second Battle of Bull Run in August, 1862 where he pushed McClellan's troops back to Washington D.C, however Lee suffers heavy Confederate soldier losses as a result of this battle. Lee decides to launch the first attack on the North at the Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest battle of U.S military history with a total of about 22,000 deaths on the field and, one out of seven wounded soldiers died from wounds caused by the battle and even more died from disease. General McClellan finds the battle plans of Lee's army, wrapped around cigars. The Union got the upper hand on this battle because they found Lee's exact battle plan and prepared for his Lee's attack. Despite Lee's efforts, the Union won the Battle of Antietam. Lincoln was able to pass the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring all slaves in states opposing the North were free because of the Northern victory at Antietam. One of Lee's greatest victories is at the Battle of Fredericksburg in 1862 where he beat Union General Burnside, causing 12,000 deaths while losing only Southern 5,000 soldiers. This victory boosted the Southern spirits and General Burnside resigned. In 1863, Lee is overwhelmed with battle plans at the age of 56 and in worsening health. In the Battle of Chancellorsville, Lee got the Confederate a great victory, but also a massive loss. Lee was able to win the battle and beat Union General Joseph Hooker, despite the much larger Union forces. The Confederate however lost a great general, General "Stonewall" Jackson on May 10th, 1863 due to friendly fire. General Lee was also the general for the Battle of Gettysburg where the Confederates suffered a great loss in Pennsylvania. General Lee moved his army of about 60,000 men into Union territory. Lee hears of a great Union force in Gettysburg and orders all of his army to attack. The Union troops (about 3,000) gather at Cemetery Ridge (high ground), giving them a huge terrain advantage to defend the Union until re-enforcments arrive. The Union re-enforcements then arrive and the Union wins the Battle of Gettysburg; the Confederate states suffer a heavy defeat. Because of the great loss at Gettysburg, Lee tries to resign but, Davis, the president of the South, refuses. The Confederate army loses lots of power with the Overland Campaign, this engages Lee's army into twelve battles in seven weeks. The Confederates and Lee are declining in strength but still mange to kill 60,000 Union troops. The Battle of Atlanta gives even more power to the North. Because of this Union victory, Abraham Lincoln, president of the North, gets re-elected for his second four year term in 1864. However, Lee is not a major general in this battle. In the Winter of 1864-1865, the number Confederate troops in Virginia is low, so Lee enlists blacks to fight for the South. Many Southerners are shocked by this bold idea. Lee's most significant contribution during the Civil War was being one of the best and most famous Confederate generals. The last battle of the Civil war is at the Appomattox Court House, 1865. Lee's war journey ends when he surrenders to General Ulysses Grant of the Union on April 9th, 1865.
Lee After The Civil War
After the Civil war ended in 1865, Lee returned to his family at the age of 58. The Lee's move from Richmond, Virginia to Derwent, Virginia later that year. The family then moves to Lexington, Virginia in the Fall where Robert becomes president of Washington College. The college has since then changed it's name to Washington and Lee University. At the college, Lee was very strict and required weekly progress reports from all of the students, he also encouraged girls to join churches and attend church services. In 1866, Lee is called upon to deliver a testimony to the Joint Committee on Reconstruction. In his testimony, he had concerns about African American Rights and the political structure of the country. Robert E. Lee dies at the age of 63 on October 12th, 1870 in Lexington, Virginia with his family because of a severe stroke. On October 15th, Lee's coffin is paraded around Lexington, his ceremony/parade was filled with former Confederate soldiers, Washington College students, state politicians and Lee's family. Robert's funeral was at the Virginia Military Institute and he was buried in Lee Chapel, Lexington, Virginia.