Confederate General Robert Lee - Research Paper Example

Robert Edward Lee, the adored General of the American south, was considered a legend even during his life. He was born on January 19, 1807 in Stratford, Virginia, in the family of the American Revolution hero Henry “Light- Horse Harry” Lee and Ann Carter Lee. He was fourth out of seven children. Lee’s mother was very rich, but his father, after several unsuccessful financial dealings, wasted most of the family fortune, and even went to jail for not paying his debt. The family lived in very difficult conditions. Robert was the fourth child in the family. He was mainly raised by his mother. She instilled in little Robert bases of strict discipline, patience and religiosity. Robert spent only four early years of his life here in Stratford, but these very years largely determined the character and the fate of the future General. Sometimes it happens that one of the children inherits from the previous generations only the best traits. That was the case with Robert Lee. From the ancestors from the mother’s side he got a handsome appearance; from the father’s - physical strength and sense of duty and responsibility, which during the years of revolution General George Washington himself noted in Henry Lee. Even the financial problems of father positively affected his son: for his entire life Robert Lee was extremely meticulous and careful in all the matters concerning money and business. Ann Carter Lee also instilled in son the perception of the importance of the family values. Robert tenderly loved his mother. By the time he turned 12, his father died and his brothers had left home so he was the only son living with his mother. He had to become a head of a big house, and took a great care of his mother and sisters, who were weak health wise. Robert Lee chose a military career because of the financial concerns. His older brother Charles Carter was studying in Harvard and the family did not have money for Robert to do likewise. So he took the only option available, which is of entering West Point Military Academy. During his cadet years, Lee did not receive a single penalty and served as the cadet corps’ adjutant. He was loved and respected by his schoolmates, and graduated second in his class. Years later, in 1852, Lee returned to the West Point academy as the superintendent. The best graduates were assigned into Engineer Corp; the same applied to Robert Lee. Among his first assignments in the practical military field was dam construction in Saint Louis and strengthening coast forts in Brunswick and Savannah. He carried out engineer projects in Georgia, Virginia and New York. On June 30, 1831 he married Mary Ann Randolph Custis, a distant relative. Mary was the only daughter of George Washington Park Custis, adopted grandson of George Washington. Robert Lee always honored the memory of George Washington and really admired his great services to his country. In 1846 Mexican-American war broke out, and Robert was sent on mission into Mexico to supervise roads construction, where he first served under the command of the General John Wool. His mission was to scout the land to find best routes for attack. At the time of the Mexican campaign, to the addition to his engineer expertise, he was also noticed by General Winfield Scott, American forces’ Commander-in-chief, for his cavalry deportment and outstanding abilities of intelligence officer, and made Lee a part of his staff. This experience taught Lee many great lessons on battle strategy and tactics, which were successfully applied by Robert 16 years later. Lee was entrusted the task of maps composition and correction. To the addition to it, he also had to lead soldiers into hand-to-hand combat. Here in Mexico Lee it was introduced to the people, which would play major roles in the soon- to- start Civil War: Thomas Jackson, George Piketon and Ulysses Grant. In spite of irreproachable service and heroism and courage manifested in the course wars, the Lee career growth was extremely slow. He was sent to the most remote and wild places. He repeatedly emphasized that the love of wife and children were central in his life and the isolation from the home and family was very painstaking. In 1855 the future President of the Confederation Jefferson Davis transferred Robert Lee to the cavalry. He was commanding the military operation to suppress the revolt of the radical abolitionist John Brown. In October 1859 Brown made a desperate attempt to take government arsenal in Harper’s Ferry Raid. Under the command of Colonel Lee, marines broke Brown’s resistance. In 1861 Lee was forced to become more prominent military figure. President Lincoln was elected. That led to the Southern Caroline's Union separation. Other Southern states followed as well. Directly before the war broke President Lincoln through his secretary Francis Blair proposed to Lee to take command of all Federate Forces. Lee was supportive of the Union; he did not approve separation, and also considered slavery to be wrong and even freed his own slaves. However, his native State Virginia was not a part of South, he himself was against intrusion into South territories. Lee sent a letter of resignation which was accepted on April 25, 1861. Soon Lee offered his services to the recently elected President of the Confederation States of America Jefferson Davis. Davis first appointed Lee brigadier General, and later full General. During the first stage war Lee was drafting men into regular army, and in the summer of 1861 he took command of the Confederation troops in Western Virginia. Later he was called to the capital of Confederation Richmond, where he accepted the position of the chief military advisor to the President Davis. In this position, Lee had influence on military actions. The remarkable campaign of the Stonewall Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley was planned largely by him. At that time the, the command of Confederation Eastern army was given to Joe Johnston, who played significant role in the Bull Run battle. However, the war so far was not victorious and Confederate Army was suffering loses. Johnston himself was badly wounded in the action and the command was greatly affected by his suffering. Therefore, when the Federal Forces, lead by George McClellan began offensive on Richmond, President Davis temporarily replaced Johnston by Lee. His appointment marked a turning point in the war. In the series of engagements, which became known as Seven Days’ campaign, the troops of southerners counterattacked Federal Army and, even though greatly outnumbered and outgunned, put Federal Forces to flee. This was the beginning of the glorious history of the army of northern Virginia under the command of General Robert Lee, whom the southerners began to affectionately call “Uncle Robert” and “Marse Robert”. The army of northern Virginia moved toward Washington, having completely crushed John Pope in the second battle of Bull Run. To secure their success, in September 1862 Lee’s troops crossed the Potomac River, entered Maryland and engaged McClellan at South Mountain. By a fateful chance Lee’s operational documents ended up in the hands of enemy, so southerners had to retreat after the bloody battle in Antietam. However, they remaining unconquered. In December the same year of Lee repelled the Federal Force offensive under the command of Burnside and totally defeated them in Fredericksburg. General Lee gained his greatest victory in the battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863, when Union sent against southerners’ great army under the command of Joe Hooker. Lee knew that they are outnumbered so he took chance and split the army. Another military genius of the south General Jackson led a part of an army to the forested area called Wilderness. Robert Lee took another part of the army and went west. So when Hooker attacked, he expected Lee to retreat. When that did not happen, but instead the forces that went around Hooker’s forces had attacked his unprotected flank, General Hooker became frightened and ordered his army to retreat. This was the most significant defeat northerners had during the course of war. However, the Confederation army suffered great loses. This victory impelled Lee and Davis to attempt the so-called “second intrusion to the north”. Southerners anticipated to finally destroy the Federal Armed Forces and, thus, to end the war. They wanted to march victoriously to Washington and deliver to Lincoln the petition of acknowledgement of the Confederative states of America. With this in mind, army of northern Virginia crossed the Potomac River again and entered the territory of Pennsylvania. The greatest battle in the history of the Eastern hemisphere took place close to the small town Gettysburg on July 1st through 3d, 1863. The Federal Army of Potomak under the new command of General George Midom fought against General Lee’s forces. On the third day of the battle it became clear that Confederate Army was defeated. One of the major reasons of defeat was that on the field he ordered massive infantry attack across the wide plain. He failed to recognize the use of riffle and his troops were under prolonged fire. Nevertheless, the army of northern Virginia battled for another two long years. Shaken by defeat at Gettysburg, Lee led campaigns at Bristone and Mayne Run, even though not effectively as before the defeat. The worthy opponent Ulysses Grant arose and General Lee fought him till the end of the war. Grant valued his vis-à-vis. He named his "Ace of Spades" Lee - the highest appraisement of military valor and talent. Lee’s army was forced in to the siege at Pitersberg and Richmond, persistently resisted for the entire ten months, until it was forced to retreat to Appomattox. On April 9, 1865 the army of northern Virginia was forced to surrender. From June 1st,1862, from the moment of adopting the command of the army of Northern Virginia Robert Edward Lee became a soul and the actual leader of all Confederation armed forces, which he formally became headed of only in January 1865. His talent as the General became a legend, and his military campaigns are still studied in all world military academies as the example art of warfare and tactical skills. Lee could resist armies, which were three times exceeding his poorly armed, undressed and hungry forces. Of course, southern soldiers and the citizens considered themselves victims of aggression from Yankee and arose to fight for their freedom and independence, and all they held dear. However, General’s Lee mind, bravery, and talent are indisputable. After the capitulation Lee returned to Richmond as the paroled prisoner of war. He dedicated the rest of his life to helping former soldiers of Confederation and setting an example of conduct for them. Robert Lee refused many offers, which would bring substantial gain to his family and accepted the position of the President of the Washington College (now Washington and Lee University). General’s reputation breathed a new life into the college; his tremendous military experience and glory both in the North as well as in the South, the symbolism of the “Lost Cause” made Lee a legendary figure even during his life. He did much for reconciliation between North and South. In October 1865 Lee wrote to President Johnson, asking for official pardon and asking to restore his civil rights of the citizen of the United States. He lost his citizenship when he joined the Confederacy. So, as he was advised by the President, Lee wrote a letter stating his loyalty to United States. On October 12, 1870 in Lexington he died of heart attack, long before his civil rights were restored. His application was misplaced and was found and granted only hundred years later, with the interference of the President Gerald Ford. The significance of Robert E. Lee is hard to underestimate. A Confederate General, known for his valor, bravery and outstanding wartime strategy was also loved by his soldiers, and, later, after the war, by his students. He made his contribution not only the fight for freedom; he also contributed to the anti-slavery movement. He was a men not only words, but of the deeds. He was not only against slavery, he freed his own slaves. After the war he was not looking for gain, even having great offers. He was looking for a position where he will be able to serve. Also, at the course of war, he declined offer to become commander on Federal Army, because then he would have to fight against his native state, and the values, his mother passed to him, his loyalty to his family were more important to him than the position. His bravery on the battlefield was admired both by his own soldiers as well as by the enemy. The country loves its hero and there are many monuments and memorials are built in his honor, many geographic features have his name. The birthday of Robert E. Lee is also still celebrated in some States and commemorated in others. Many educational institutions also have Robert E Lee’s name. Works Cited: Grabowski, Patricia and Schlesinger, Arthur Meier “Robert E. Lee: Confederate General” Famous Figures of the Civil War Era Infobase Publishing. 2000. Print. Monroe, Judy. Robert E. Lee Civil War Biographies Series. Let Freedom Ring Capstone Press. 2006. Print “Confederate General Robert E. Lee”. americancivilwar.com. 2011. Web. 10 May 2011 “Robert Edward Lee”. Shotgun's Home of the American Civil War. civilwarhome.com. 2008. Web. 10 May 2011 Read More