Robert E. Lee; a general so great that he may be considered the best of all time.
Background
Hailing from Virginia, Lee was a southern gentleman. He was very soft-spoken and extremely religious. Lee was a West point graduate, like Grant, but was much more successful. Second in his class, he graduated with no demerits at all. Lee fought out west under Jefferson Davis, and also captured John Brown at Harpers Ferry. He also owned a gray horse that he rode into all most battles named Traveler.
Legacy
Lee was considered the best general of the Civil War, and perhaps of all time. His tactics and strategies make him stand out, and he's famous for doing more with less (making the most of what little he had). Even on surrendering, Lee also always ordered his troops to be gentlemen.
Hailing from Virginia, Lee was a southern gentleman. He was very soft-spoken and extremely religious. Lee was a West point graduate, like Grant, but was much more successful. Second in his class, he graduated with no demerits at all. Lee fought out west under Jefferson Davis, and also captured John Brown at Harpers Ferry. He also owned a gray horse that he rode into all most battles named Traveler.
Legacy
Lee was considered the best general of the Civil War, and perhaps of all time. His tactics and strategies make him stand out, and he's famous for doing more with less (making the most of what little he had). Even on surrendering, Lee also always ordered his troops to be gentlemen.
When the North and South Split
When conflict was first aroused, Abraham Lincoln himself asked Lee to lead the Union. He did oppose secession along with Lincoln, but Lee refused to fight against his home state. He was a sectionalist for Virginia. He was given command of the Army of Northern Virginia, and eventually the entire southern army.
When conflict was first aroused, Abraham Lincoln himself asked Lee to lead the Union. He did oppose secession along with Lincoln, but Lee refused to fight against his home state. He was a sectionalist for Virginia. He was given command of the Army of Northern Virginia, and eventually the entire southern army.
"It is well that war is so terrible, otherwise we should grow too fond of it." "What a cruel thing war is...to fill our hearts with hatred instead of love for our neighbors." "I tremble for my country when I hear of confidence expressed in me. I know too well my weakness, that our only hope is in God." "The war...was an unnecessary condition of affairs, and might have been avoided forbearance and wisdom had been practiced on both sides." |