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Robert E. Lee Facts

Robert E. Lee Facts
Robert Edward Lee, known as Robert E. Lee, is best known as the American soldier who commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia during the American Civil War. Robert E. Lee was born at the Stratford Hall Plantation in Westmoreland, Virginia on January 19th, 1807. His father was Major General Henry Lee III, and his father's second wife Anne Hill Carter. When Robert was only two his father went to debtor's prison and afterwards left for the West Indies, never returning. Robert E. Lee joined the military to gain a free education and was 18 when he graduated near the top of his class in 1829. Once he graduated he began his military service.
Interesting Robert E. Lee Facts:
Robert E. Lee's father (Henry Lee) was a war hero and was often referred to as ‘Light-Horse Harry'. Robert was Henry's fifth child.
After Robert E. Lee's father's sentence in debtor's prison was over, Robert was six. His father then left for the West Indies and Robert was then raised by his mother.
After graduating from West Point in 1829, second in his class, Robert E. Lee joined the Engineer Corps.
In 1831 Robert E. Lee married Mary Custis, the great granddaughter of Martha Washington. During their marriage Robert and Mary would have seven children.
Robert E. Lee first saw combat during the Mexican-American War in 1846, during which he was promoted to colonel. He also gained a reputation as a military leader during the Mexican-American War.
In 1852 Robert E. Lee became the superintendent of the U.S. military Academy at West Point. He changed the four year program there to five.
In 1855 Robert E. Lee became lieutenant colonel in command of the 2nd Calvary Regiment.
In 1859 Robert E. Lee was in charge of the marines sent to stop the raid at Harper's Ferry. The raiders were protesting slavery under the leadership of John Brown.
President Lincoln offered Robert E. Lee command of the Union Army in 1861 when the Civil War began. Despite the fact that he didn't agree with slavery he turned Lincoln down and returned to Virginia.
Robert E. Lee was a Confederate major general for two days after Virginia joined the Confederacy officially and then he became the third full General of the Confederate Army. He ranked after Samuel Cooper and Albert Sidney Johnston.
Robert also became military advisor to the Confederate President Jefferson Davis.
Robert's plans were too complicated for the volunteer troops he sent and was defeated at Rich Mountain. He received the nickname ‘Granny Lee' after retreating because he was not willing to shed blood unnecessarily.
At the Seven Days Battle Robert E. Lee regained his positive reputation by driving the enemy army back from Richmond, Virginia.
Lee's greatest victory occurred at the end of April 1863 during the Battle of Chancellorsville when his army divided and stopped the Union Army at Salem Church.
In 1865 Robert E. Lee was named commander-in-chief of all Confederate armies but it was too late and he surrendered on April 9th, 1965 to Grant.
Robert returned to Richmond with his family, and then to Lexington, in late 1865 when he accepted a position as Washington College's president.
Robert E. Lee had heart disease for several years prior to his death on October 2nd, 1870.


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