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ROBERT E. LEE
1807 - 1870
Robert Edward Lee was a Confederate
general who fought in the
American Civil
War. He lived 1807 until 1870. Historians comment that Robert
was against slavery, against secession, and against war. But his
loyalty to Virginia was stronger than anything.
For many people, Robert E. Lee was
one of the greatest generals in history. However, it was not until
1975, that his citizenship was fully restored by President Gerald
Ford.
1807 - 1845
Robert's parents were the Colonel Henry (Light-Horse Harry) Lee
and Ann Hill Carter. Robert was the fourth child. His was an
upper class family in Virginia, although not wealthy.
Robert went to West Point where he
graduated in 1829. Robert's
father served in the American Revolutionary War and was friends with
George Washington. Thus, in the year 1831, Robert married his
(distant) cousin Mary Anne Randolph Custis. Mary Anne was the
great-granddaughter of George Washington's wife Martha. Mary Anne's
and later Robert's home was Arlington House in Virginia until 1861,
when Union troops confiscated it.
According to
Arlington
National Cemetery history information, "Arlington National
Cemetery was established by Brig. Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs, who
commanded the garrison at Arlington House, appropriated the grounds
June 15, 1864, for use as a military cemetery. His intention was to
render the house uninhabitable should the Lee family ever attempt to
return." Sweet. Today, you are
welcome to visit
The Robert E. Lee Memorial.
MEXICAN WAR 1846 -
1848
In the Mexican War, Robert fought as a captain under General
Winfield Scott, who was very impressed by his performance.
1849 - 1860
Back from the war, Robert was superintendent at West Point from 1852
until 1855. He then was made lieutenant colonel and served in Texas
from 1857 - 1861.
AMERICAN CIVIL WAR
1861 - 1865
On June 1, 1862, Robert became commander of the Army of Northern Virginia,
after General Joseph E. Johnston was wounded at Fair Oaks. In
February 1865, Robert became commander of all Southern armies. On
April 9, 1865, he surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at
the home of Wilmer McClean in the small village of Appomattox Court
House, Virginia. This officially ended the American Civil War.
ROBERT E. LEE IN 1869
1865 - 1870
After the Civil War and without a job, Robert became president
of Washington College in Lexington, Virginia.
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