robert e. lee Essay -- essays research papers

Robert E. leeward, who was considered to be the greatest soldier fighting for the ConfederateStates of America, descended from a want line of famous gunslingeres. Many of lee(prenominal)s ancestorsplayed important roles in Americas history. His bugger off was a Revolutionary War hero anda friend of George Washington. He was often referred to as Light Horse Harry leeward. lee(prenominal) was natural on January 19, 1807 in Stratford, Virginia. Lee always admired Washington,and was his hero as a youngster. Young Lee decided to become a soldier, part because ofthe military tradition of his family. Lee enrolled in watt Point soldiery Academy andgraduated 2nd in his class in 1829. Lee majored in military get uping and supervisedseveral army projects, he was named atomic number 42 Lieutenant in the Corp engineers. His devotionand hard excogitate in supervising harbor improvements in Saint Louis got him promoted toCaptain in 1838.As a captain, his first experience in actual part icipation was in the Mexican War. He servedunder General Winfield Scott, and was the best engineer in General Scotts campaign.Lees actions at the conflicts of Cerro Gordo, Churubusco, and Chapultepec received manyhigh praises and realise him a reputation. General Scott claimed that the success of thewar was due to Lees bravery and skills, Lee was appointed the rank of Colonel.In 1582 he was appointed superintendent of West Point Military Academy. Under hisservice, James B. McPherson, Phillip Sheridan, and John Bell lummox would graduate from theacademy, soon to be famous. Lee finished his duty as the superintendent in 1855, andserved as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Second Cavalry, stationed in Texas.In 1859, while serving in Texas, Lee was displace to command a group of Marines to suppressJohn dark-br witnesss uprising. John Brown was a northern abolitionist would believed a rebellionin the reciprocal ohm would lead to abolition. He was taken down by Lees forces. Aftersuppressin g the uprising, Lee was called to Washington is 1861. The succession movementhad begun. Some southern states had left, but Lees own Virginia was still uncertain.As much as Lee had supported the Union, he couldnt bear the sight of matrimony soldiersinvading and destroying his hometown. Lee had thought over this matter for days, andfinally decided to resign from the union forces and offer his serve up to the confederacy.When Lee reached Richmond, Virginia had succeeded and they had a... ...hrew strong attacks at the union forces, but was repulsed withheavy losses. The battle of Gettysburg was the largest battle ever fought in NorthAmerica. He was criticized for attempting an impossible battle, the union forces had andadvantageous position and more men.After Gettysburg, Lee retreated bandaging to Virginia for the rest of the war. With the lossof more and more soldiers, Lee had no extract but to start taking a defensive position. Inthe leaping of 1864, General Ulysses render got control of the union forces and decided tobring Lee into northern Virginia and crush the confederate forces there. Grant rushed toPetersburg, hoping to seize the railway the was supplying Lee with supplies. Lee hadarrived first and Grant started a siege. In 1865, Grant finally seized control of therailroads and lee retreated to the west. Lee, realizing his loss of men, met Grant atAppomattox and surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia.After the war, Lee was considered a hero of the south, with dignity he accepted hisdefeat and preached to his people the necessity of pause and national unity. He laterbecame the principal of Washington college at Lexington. He died on October 12, 1870.