Robert E. Lee Essay Example

attack at Spread Eagle Tavern in January 1778. Regrettably, Harry often displayed arrogance due to his inflated self-image.

Despite achieving the rank of lieutenant-colonel and serving in the military, he felt discontented with his achievements. As a result, he decided to leave the military after the war. He then transitioned into politics and successfully campaigned for governor. He served three terms as Governor of Virginia before retiring from politics.

His influential role in politics made him a potential successor to Washington. However, he faced challenges in fulfilling his responsibilities and often evaded creditors. Consequently, his family did not receive sufficient support.

Henry Lee displayed no regard for the welfare of others and failed to fulfill his responsibilities, leading to his imprisonment for one year as a result of outstanding debts. Upon being released, he focused solely on writing his autobiography without taking into account his family. Ann Carter Lee, Henry's mother, was descended from Charles Carter and despite her physical disability, she exhibited a remarkable and commendable character. As a result, Robert grew up with a profound sense of honesty and duty.

Robert Carter was named after his mother's brothers, Edward and Robert Carter. However, when he was just four years old, his father Henry left the family. Due to Henry's inability to support them, Lee's mother made the difficult decision to leave him. At a very young age, Robert had to assume the responsibility of managing the household on his own.

Tragically, when Robert turned eleven years old, his father passed away. Despite growing up without a paternal figure and facing financial hardships, Lee acquired self-discipline which proved invaluable in his future military career.

As they lacked sufficient funds

for college tuition fees, Robert opted to join the U.S.

In 1825, he enrolled at the Military Academy with the intention of pursuing a military profession. Luckily, he was admitted as a Cadet while Major Sylvanus Thayer served as Superintendent, a key figure in establishing West Point as a renowned military training institution. Following his successful completion of studies, he became the second graduate out of 46 students. Upon graduation, he attained a commission as a second lieutenant in the esteemed Engineering Corps, recognized for its acceptance of exceptional Cadets.

Regrettably, his enjoyment and achievements waned when he returned to Arlington and discovered that his mother was gravely ill. He dutifully looked after her until she passed away in July of 1829. Soon after, Lee was given orders to go to Cockspur Island to help build Fort Pulaski. Throughout this period, he exchanged letters with Mary Custis, the daughter of George Washington Parke Custis and Martha Washington's grandson. When Custis died, he left two splendid Virginia properties to Mary: Arlington and Whitehouse.

In 1831, he defied Mr. Custis's desires by marrying Mary Custis. Their first destination as a couple was Fort Monroe, a place Mary Custis detested. When they visited Arlington for Christmas, she opted to stay there. In the following Spring, Robert rode back to Arlington to request her return, and she agreed.

At that time, she became pregnant and gave birth to their first child, George Washington Parke Custis Lee. In total, the Lees had seven children - four daughters and three sons. All three of their sons joined the Confederate Army. Lee's wife found it difficult to adjust to the challenges of army posts, so she

and the children lived at Arlington until the Civil War began. Afterward, federal forces seized control of the family's residence which remained under the U.S. Government's authority. Despite a lawsuit filed by the Lee family seeking its return, they were only awarded compensation.

In 1846, Lee joined General Winfield Scott's personal staff in the midst of the Mexican War. On January 16, 1847, he journeyed to Brazos, where General Scott was organizing for the battle at Vera Cruz. This marked Lee's initial exposure to combat situations, and his remarkable leadership and strategic talents garnered commendation from General Scott.

Scott referred to Lee as "the greatest military genius in America" and "the best soldier I ever saw in the field." Lee witnessed the Mexicans surrendering on March 29th and successfully navigated multiple confrontations with the enemy during the Mexican war. After being away for one year and ten months, Lee returned to Washington on June 29, 1848. He began the war with the rank of captain but emerged with the higher rank of Colonel. Following this, Lee was assigned to Baltimore where he oversaw the building of Fort Carroll.

This would mark the end of his career in engineering as he headed to The United States Military Academy in August 1852. At West Point, Lee served as Superintendent and implemented successful procedures that enhanced the Academy's reputation during his three-year tenure. On April 12, 1855, he was assigned to lead the 2nd in Louisville, Kentucky.

Colonel Lee served as the Colonel of Cavalry in Texas for six years. In 1859, while visiting Arlington, he received a message from Colonel Drinkard instructing him to report to the Secretary of War urgently.

The reason was that there were reports of trains being halted and gunshots being fired at Harper's Ferry in addition to rumors of arriving strangers who were encouraging slaves to riot. John Brown, a well-known antislavery extremist from Kansas, was said to be leading this group. However, despite his efforts to incite rebellion among the slaves, Brown found himself trapped in a fire-house.

Lee was given the task of leading the US Marines in suppressing the disturbance caused by John Brown's Raid at Harper's Ferry. At first, Lee asked Brown to surrender, knowing that he would refuse. When Brown refused to surrender, Lee ordered his soldiers to forcefully break into the firehouse where Brown and his group were hiding. The soldiers were specifically told to use bayonets only and not shoot their firearms in order to reduce the risk of harming any hostages.

The entire operation was completed in just three minutes. At the onset of the Civil War, Lee confronted the toughest choice he had ever faced. Despite his support for ending slavery, he opposed achieving it through force and advocated for a united nation. However, he disagreed with relying solely on military intervention to maintain unity. President Lincoln requested him to lead the Union forces in battle, but Lee refused because he was unwilling to invade his own homeland.

He resigned and shortly after, he became a General in the Confederate Army. He worked as a military advisor for Jefferson Davis, led the Army of Northern Virginia, and eventually became General-in-chief of all Confederate Armies. Lee's actions during the Confederate campaign showcase his courageous battle against formidable challenges. In the initial years of the war,

the South made significant progress by effectively opposing General McClellan's bid to capture Richmond.

However, there was a constant shortage of men, food, and guns. The transportation issue worsened over time, and the Armies were constantly vulnerable to political plundering. Despite facing a stronger Union force, Lee used his strategic expertise as a skilled soldier to inflict devastating defeats at Bull Run, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorville. However, this series of victories would eventually be halted with the arrival of the battle at Gettysburg.

This marked the crucial moment of the entire war as Lee headed towards Gettysburg on July 1st, while the sound of gunfire filled the air. In the days that followed, despite suffering significant losses, Lee was already devising a plan for retreat. However, with the south's defeat at Gettysburg in July 1863, the tide shifted against them, ultimately marking the conclusion of Lee's ability to assume an offensive stance.

On April 9, 1865, General Robert E. Lee chose to surrender his fatigued and famished army to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia. Prior to departing for Richmond, where his family had resided since leaving Arlington, Lee penned a heartfelt farewell to his soldiers. His dwelling was seized, leaving his loved ones with scant resources, while he bore the burden of a vanquished South on his shoulders. Nonetheless, in the face of these conditions, Lee dedicated himself to the crucial objective of fostering reconciliation among fractured communities.

Upon surrendering, he immediately sought forgiveness and restoration of his citizenship, hoping to inspire others to do the same. He made significant efforts to reconcile the North-South differences. Numerous prestigious roles and lucrative positions were offered domestically and

internationally, but Lee had no interest in engaging in political controversies. In the summer of 1865, he received an invitation to become President of Washington College (later renamed Washington ; Lee University after his death) located in Lexington, VA. Despite the college being nearly destroyed at that time, Lee accepted the position on the condition that his association would not harm it in any way. The idea of Lee joining such a modest educational institution shocked both friends and relatives.

He had received offers from many bigger and wealthier places. However, Lee saw far beyond the title and viewed this opportunity as a chance to contribute to the rebuilding of the South through educating its youth. Lee believed his purpose in life was to help create a united country, and for this reason, he embarked on educating Southern youth with a renewed spirit of loyalty. Lee accepted the position and traveled to the college campus in Lexington. Upon arrival, Lee discovered that in addition to being the President of the college, he also held multiple roles including Dean, Bursar, Registrar, Head Gardener, and general factotum. His monthly salary amounted to $125, and he had one secretary to assist him.

Lee, however, didn't let these challenges hinder him. He embarked on a mission to solicit funds from other institutions. Once the President's house was ready, Lee was joined by his wife and daughters. Meanwhile, Lee's sons were occupied with trying to salvage the family estates. Unfortunately, Arlington had been lost forever due to nonpayment of taxes during the war. Union authorities required delinquent taxpayers to pay in person, leading to Arlington being surrounded by a military cemetery, a

situation that persists to this day (pg. 75). Despite these setbacks, Washington College flourished under Lee's leadership, with the student population growing to four-hundred.

The college's reputation grew, leading to an expansion of the curriculum and gradual construction of additional buildings. Students from all over the United States enrolled at the college. Despite receiving treatment for rheumatism, lumbago, and other ailments, Lee's health gradually declined. It was evident that his heart was weakening. In 1869, Lee went to Baltimore to raise funds for a railroad project and visited his old friend General Grant in Washington, who had become President of the United States. After returning from Washington, Lee started doubting his ability to continue as President of the college.

The text mentions that the job required someone in better physical condition than him, despite discussing his intention to resign. His concerns were not taken seriously. To improve his health, the faculty suggested he go on a vacation to the south due to an abnormally hot summer in 1870, which made Lee easily tired and unable to ride a horse anymore. On September 28, it rained and Lee had to attend a meeting as a church vestryman while sitting in his wet clothes. During the meeting, he listened to the minister complain about his wages. When Lee finally returned home, he entered the house and remained silent for a moment before collapsing into a chair.

Upon his wife's request, a doctor was promptly called to attend to Lee. The doctor consulted with colleagues and recommended that Lee take bed rest. For the following 48 hours, Lee primarily slept. Following this period, he displayed signs of recovery and resumed eating.

However, when presented with medication, he refused, deeming it futile.

During the following two weeks, he remained bedridden. On October 10, Lee's pulse and breathing quickened, and he experienced bouts of shivering. The subsequent day, Lee entered a state of delirium as memories from the past flooded his mind. Every now and then, he called out names that had long been forgotten, exclaiming "Tell Hill he must come up." Throughout the entire night, his wife stayed by his side, holding his hand. At slightly after 9:00 am on October 12, 1870, Lee sat upright and proclaimed "strike the tent", before falling back onto the bed and passing away. His final resting place was beneath the college chapel while the whole nation grieved over their loss.

Robert E. Lee gained the respect and approval of both Northerners and Southerners through his bravery in war and graciousness in defeat. To summarize, Lee was born in Stratford, Virginia on January 19, 1807. His father, Henry Lee, became famous for his service in Washington's army as "Lighthorse Harry." Lee's mother, Ann Carter Lee, who was the daughter of Charles Carter, left Henry when Robert was just four years old. As a result, Lee took on the role of managing the household at a very young age.

Lee faced challenges in maintaining the household and managing finances without a father figure, but these hurdles taught him important lessons in self-discipline. The same lessons served him well in his military career. In 1825, Robert enrolled at the U.S. Military Academy with the aim of pursuing a military profession. He was the second person to graduate from a class of 46 students. Following graduation, he

received a commission as a second lieutenant in the Engineering Corps.

Married in 1831, he wed Mary Custus, who was Martha Washington's great-grandaughter. Beginning their journey at Fort Monroe, the Lees spent three years there before relocating to Arlington in 1834. During their time together, they had four daughters and three sons. Lee's wife struggled to adapt to the challenges of living on army posts, resulting in her and the children residing at Arlington until the war between the states. Eventually, their home came under the control of federal forces. In 1846, when the Mexican War began, Lee was assigned to General Winfield Scott's personal staff.

Due to his exceptional leadership and strategic abilities, General Scott commended him. He successfully navigated numerous encounters with the enemy during the Mexican War. On June 29, 1848, after an absence of almost two years, he returned to Washington. Lee served as a captain when he joined the war and achieved the rank of Colonel.

His next duty was in Baltimore where he oversaw the construction of Fort Carroll. He then became Superintendent at West Point in 1852 and during his three-year tenure, Lee implemented effective procedures that enhanced the Academy's reputation. On April 12, 1855, he was assigned to Louisville, Kentucky to lead the 2nd Cavalry. Serving as Colonel of Cavalry, Lee spent the majority of the following six years in Texas.

Lee was subsequently dispatched to command the United States Marines in quelling John Brown's Raid at Harper's Ferry. Upon his arrival, Lee directed the destruction of the door to the firehouse, where Brown's group had sought shelter. The entire operation was concluded within a mere three minutes. As the war

between the states commenced, Lee encountered the toughest choice of his existence. While he championed the end of slavery, he did not endorse employing coercion for its eradication.

He believed in a united nation, but not one that could be maintained only by force. When President Lincoln asked him to lead the Federal troops, Lee declined. Shortly after, Lee resigned from the Army and joined the Confederate Army as a General. He then served as military advisor to Jefferson Davis, commanded the Army of Northern Virginia, and eventually became General-in-chief of all Confederate Armies. During the initial two years of the war, the South made significant progress, successfully thwarting General McClellan's efforts to capture Richmond.

However, there was always a shortage of men, food, and guns. The transportation problem worsened over time, and the Armies were constantly being taken advantage of by political plunderers. Lee, an expert strategist, used all his skills as a master soldier to deliver devastating blows at Bull Run, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorville against the Union's superior forces. However, everything changed with the arrival of the battle at Gettysburg. This marked the turning point of the entire war.

With the defeat of Lee's army at Gettysburg in July 1863, the South suffered a turning point. It marked Lee's final offensive position. On April 9, 1865, Lee surrendered his near-starving and depleted army to General Ulysses S. Grant, the Union commander in chief, at Appomattox Court House, Virginia. The following day, he departed for Richmond, where his family had been residing since their departure from Arlington.

After the war, he immediately applied for pardon and restoration to citizenship in the hope of inspiring other Confederates to do

the same. He made every effort to mend the division between the North and the South. In the summer of 1865, he was offered the Presidency of Washington College in Lexington, VA, despite its dilapidated state. Lee agreed to take on the role on the condition that his association with the college would not harm it in any way. He embraced the opportunity and made his way to the college campus in Lexington. However, the strain of revitalizing the impoverished college and dealing with the challenges of reconstruction began to impact Lee's health negatively.

He died on October 12, 1870, and was buried beneath the college chapel. Ian Hogg's Analysis Great American Generals - Robert E. Lee is a comprehensive narrative detailing the life and death of Robert E. Lee, an esteemed American hero.

The text discusses the life of Lee, starting from his family history, birth, and ending with his death. Hogg presents the various years in a captivating manner, offering intriguing and specific details. The narrative maintains the reader's attention, even when providing statistics on Lee's campaigns. This book is not only appealing to Lee enthusiasts but also to all history students. The pages contain many detailed maps and vibrant images that enrich the understanding of Lee and his experiences.

Military students will be pleased by the war descriptions and students interested in Lee's character will appreciate the intriguing facts about his life and his parents. Hogg presents this painful chapter in America's history impartially, without passing judgment. He portrays Lee as a man of utmost honor and integrity, a genuine Southern gentleman, and refrains from making any derogatory remarks about the fact that

Lee was on the losing side of a war that had no victorious party. This book is both thrilling and educational, making it one of the more enjoyable required readings for this course.