12 Things About Robert E. Lee

Lee spent most of his adult life as a career Army officer after attending West Point Military Academy. People above and below him respected him. As the US prepared for civil war, President Abraham Lincoln offered Lee the position ofCommanderfor the Union forces. Lee also received a high rank in the Confederate Army. He chose the latter, despite his natural dedication to the entire United States.

Lee opposed secession and civil war. However, when Virginia seceded from the Union in early 1861, Lee made his choice. When he refused the Union position, he stated thathe could not fight a war against his homelandof Virginia. Since Virginia had decided to leave democratically,Since Virginia decided to leave democratically, he continued.He felt compelled to join their cause.

Robert E. Lee walked around, lived his life, with serious heart disease, like many people today.He did not know it. He was 56 in the spring of 1863 and felt poorly. Pain hit his chest, back, and arms. Doctors suggested he likely had pericarditis, a swelling and irritation of the membrane around the heart. They prescribed bed rest, which was hard while commanding an army. Lee left camp for Fredericksburg, VA, to live quietly for weeks, but he did not get much better.The general probably suffered a heart attack at Gettysburg. He was 56 in the spring of 1863, feeling unwell. Pain hit his chest, back, and arms. Doctors suggested pericarditis, a swelling of the heart's thin membrane. They ordered bed rest, hard for a commander. Lee left camp for several weeks, staying quiet in Fredericksburg, VA, but showed little improvement.

By the time of the Gettysburg battle in July 1863, Lee had likely had a heart attack. No medical record shows he ever had one, but he felt very sick during the battle. Weeks later, he asked to resign, citing extreme fatigue. Confederate leaders refused his resignation, so he fought until the war ended. Five years later, his heart disease struck. He had a stroke on September 28, 1870, and died on October 12 that year.By the time of the Gettysburg battle in July 1863, Lee had likely had a heart attack. No medical record shows he ever had one, but he felt very sick during the battle. Weeks later, he asked to resign, citing extreme fatigue. Confederate leaders refused his resignation, so he fought until the war ended. Five years later, his heart disease struck. He had a stroke on September 28, 1870, and died on October 12 that year.

Southerners, even today, cling to the image of Robert E. Lee as a symbol of a lost cause. Lee, however, received high praise from adversaries and friends.Union leaders and soldiers noticed Lee's gentlemanly behavior on the field during the war. This continued after the 1865 surrender. When Lee died in 1870 at age 63, the honoring began—not just in the South, but in the North too. After the general died, theAdversaries and friends loved him. Union leaders and soldiers noticed Lee's gentlemanly conduct on the field during the war. This continued after the 1865 surrender. When Lee died in 1870 at 63, canonization started—in the South and the North.New York HeraldMinneapolis Tribune admitted that the “Lee cult is much in vogue, even at the North, in these days.”

A reporter for theMinneapolis Tribune admitted that the “Lee cult is much in vogue, even at the North, in these days.”The Minneapolis Tribune even admitted that the “Lee cult is much in vogue, even at the North, in these days.”

Lee's promotion kept going past the war. Many US presidents from the late 19th and 20th centuries praised the man who led the cause shattering the United States into chaos and ruin. Dwight Eisenhower defended hanging Lee's portrait in the White House.

I see Lee as one of the nation's most gifted men. He was selfless almost too much. He was a noble leader and a man. He remained pure as I read history. I state this with deep belief: a nation of men like Lee would remain unconquerable in spirit and soul. As much as today's American youth try to copy his rare traits, we, facing danger in a divided world, will gain strength and keep our love of freedom alive.

Robert E. Lee might have fought for the South, but marrying George Washington's great-granddaughter gets you more American.George Washington's great-granddaughter.He married her. After leaving Stratford Hall as a toddler, Lee's family moved to Alexandria, VA. This place was a short trip from Washington's Mount Vernon and Arlington House in Arlington, VA, the property of Washington's step-grandson, George Washington Parke Custis..

Old Virginia families knew each other and socialized. Lee got early, regular exposure to the Washington legend and tradition. Mary was the only child left from her parents, making her an heiress to the estate and the memory of the first US president. Lee, with only his small Army income, essentially married into wealth. He and Mary lost much of it later when Arlington House became a military and federal cemetery.

Robert E. Lee's father, Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee, wasvery conceited.Born rich with many family ties, he was spoiled and proud. He became a hero in the American Revolution, especially when he led a dragoons unit to defeat a Hessian regiment at the Battle of Edgar's Lane. He earned the nickname "Light Horse Harry." from his quick, elegant movements leading cavalry on and around the battlefield. People also knew him for his raiding and scouting skills.

In private, he lacked elegance and discipline. He could act pretentious and liked fine clothes and possessions, mismanaging his money. He married Matilda Lee, the heiress to Stratford Hall, quickly taking her fortune, then married the wealthy Ann Hill Carter, spending her money too. Somehow, he managed to become governor of Virginia and served three years. By 1807, he went bankrupt.

He served a year in debtor's prison while his son, Robert, was two. The next year, he and his family left Stratford Hall. He moved his family to Alexandria, VA, but he suffered serious physical and mental injuries.He defended an anti-war newspaper.A violent mob during the 1812 Baltimore riots attacked him. He moved to the West Indies to try and get better. He left Anne, Robert, and the other children behind. He never regained his former health. After years in the Caribbean, he tried to return to Virginia. He died visiting friends on Cumberland Island, GA.

Robert Edward Lee was born into the Lee family of Virginia. His great-grandfather, Thomas Lee, built the Stratford Hall great house in Westmoreland County, Virginia.Westmoreland County, VirginiaMatilda Lee, Thomas Lee's granddaughter, inherited Stratford Hall and married Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee, a Revolutionary War hero and her cousin. Matilda died young. Henry kept two young children and the right to live on the estate until his son grew older.

Henry Lee married Ann Hill Carter. The couple had six children, including Robert Edward Lee, born at Stratford Hall. When Robert was three, his father used Matilda's estate and Ann's money. The family had to leave the Lee seat permanently. Henry's wasteful habits caused legal trouble. After time in debtor's prison, he ran to the West Indies, leaving young Robert, his siblings, and their mother, Anne, to relatives.

Robert E. Lee knew the sting of poverty despite his birth into a wealthy, high-society family.He experienced poverty early on. Some say this experience shaped his known humble nature.Some say that experience contributed to his known humble nature.

Familiar images of Lee show a stern, gray-bearded man. He did not look like he laughed much.He did not look like he laughed much.Most familiar photos were taken after the Appomattox surrender in April 1865. The general was at his lowest point then. People called him the "Marble Man" because he was cool, calm, and hard to read. A lively sense of humor existed just beneath the surface.

As a young man living near Washington, DC, Lee was involved in the social scene. He attended a bridal party for his brother and new sister-in-law. He wrote at that time:

My spirits were high last night. My sister-in-law tried to claim me as her husband. I would not let my fun end that way. I tricked the young women, telling them I was her younger brother. They thought I was single and had not had gentle touches for years.

Lee and his children have many amusing stories. He felt most like himself with his family. His son, Robert Jr., recalled:

His father liked having his slippers taken off and his feet placed in their laps. As they grew sleepy, he stirred them up with his foot, laughing loudly. Sometimes, the children got so caught up in his stories they forgot their tasks when he said, "No tickling, no story."

Lee showed humor about money troubles. While stationed away, he wrote to Mary, his wife, letting her buy what she wanted. He warned her about store temptations, saying she should avoid them. He wrote to his son, telling him to advise his mother on finances and "NOT TAKE HER SHOPPING OR YOU WILL HAVE TO FURNISH HER WITH AN EQUAL AMOUNT TO COMPLETE HER PURCHASES."

Lee was down-to-earth with his troops, just as he was with his officers and family. His soldiers almost always...His troops loved him and looked up to him. Only at the Appomattox surrender did Lee act like a commanding general. While riding or walking among his troops, he dressed as a simple soldier, usually unarmed, with only one companion instead of a large group. A soldier said, "Howdy do, Dad," to the "Old Man." Lee nodded and replied, "Howdy do, my man."Robert Jr. looked up to his father. Lee only wore the commanding general uniform at the Appomattox surrender. While riding or walking with his troops, Lee dressed as a simple, often unarmed soldier, usually with just one companion, not a large group. A soldier said, "Howdy do, Dad," to the "Old Man." Lee nodded and said, "Howdy do, my man."

Robert E. Lee and Mary had seven children: three boys and four girls. Lee loved his family very much. Though his military service kept him away, he cared for Mary and the children, sending letters and gifts home and spending quality time when present. His letters show a tender...His letters reveal a loving father. He mentioned holding his children on his lap, hugging them, taking them swimming, bringing fresh flowers to the ladies at breakfast, gentle teasing, and playing games. Away from home, he even studied parenting books.Lee showed his love by holding his children, hugging them, taking them swimming, bringing fresh flowers to ladies at breakfast, teasing them gently, and playing games. He studied parenting books while away from home.

Lee kept writing to his grown children. Late in the war, he wrote to his son, William Fitzhugh "Rooney" Lee, comforting him about losing his young wife.

Camp Orange Co: April 24, 1864

I loved your dear wife deeply. Her memory brings me sweet sorrow. Losing her would make my grief worse. You both mattered to me equally. My heart overflows; I cannot write about this. My grief is not for her. It is for us. She lives happier now, safe from evil, awaiting us in heaven. May God grant us to join her in praise of our Lord and Savior. We must bow to Him and pray for pardon and forgiveness.

Many people today do not know Robert E. Lee vehemently associated him with the South and the Confederacy.Robert E. Lee opposed secession.The son of a Revolutionary War hero, Lee grew up near the nation's capital and married into the original first family of the United States. Lee was American, but like some Virginians then and now, he identified as a Virginian above all else.

Lee waited anxiously in early 1861. He hoped his home state would stay in the Union. Virginia seceded in April that year. After being offered command of an army, Lee joined the South for Virginia. In a letter on January 23, 1861, Lee shared his thoughts on the issue.

As an American citizen, I value my country, its wealth, and its systems. I would defend any state if its rights were attacked. I see no greater danger to the country than the Union's breakup. This would gather all the problems we complain about. I will sacrifice everything except honor to keep it. I hope we use all legal options before resorting to force. Secession is just revolution.

When Anne Carter Lee's children needed futures, she faced a lack of money for college, farming, or jobs. However, she could arrange good marriages for her daughters and sons. The family's only asset was their Virginia blood and social ties to wealthy families there.

In Robert's case,familial connectionsand his own good qualities let him attend the prestigious military academyWest PointHe graduated second in the 1829 class and graduated with no demerits.

After graduating, he joined the Engineer Corps. Positions around the East Coast posted him there. In 1852, he returned to West Point when invited to serve as superintendent.

Robert E. Lee had many loose ends.He was at the end of the Civil War.The army he led marched home defeated. The federal government took his wife's ancestral home and farm, turning it into Arlington National Cemetery. His health stopped him from doing hard work. He was 58, had no prospects, and a family needing support.

He eventually accepted an offer from a small, obscure college in the mountains of Virginia.Washington CollegeWashington College needed a new president. It invited Lee to take the job. He accepted and moved his family to Lexington, VA. There, he served as a strict but kind president. He kept his sense of humor and enjoyed bringing students to his home for meals and entertainment.

Lee held the position until his death in 1870. Visitors can still see his office. It remains exactly as it was the day he fell ill at Lee Chapel, which is on campus.