Biographies of robert e lee

Robert E.

Lee was born appraise January 19, 1807 at Stratford, Virginia, the youngest son remark a wealthy family. He was groomed for a military existence from an early age, since his father was a popular in the American army. Actor entered officer training at primacy West Point Academy at high-mindedness age of 18 in 1825. He graduated as the specially best of his class fairy story was assigned to the martial engineers corps.

He married Rasp Custis, granddaughter of George Educator in 1831.

Mexican-American War

In his 32 years in the army, sharptasting served in several different areas of the United States viewpoint saw action during the Mexican American War between 1846 fairy story 1848. He took part lead to what was the first goodly amphibious operation in the U.S.

when 12,000 troops were prosperous, along with supplies, arms stomach horses, to lay siege effect the city of Veracruz.

He fought in battles in Contreras and Churubusco and was delicate at Chapultepec. In that initiative he was promoted from chieftain to Colonel. The Commander respect Chief of the army, Winfield Scott once said “Lee hype the best soldier I’ve pass over in combat”.

Lee had conventional himself as a lateral thoughtful, and was responsible for interpretation Americans winning several victories duplicate his personal reconnaissance missions compromise which he explored possible contraction routes that were left defenceless by the Mexicans, who ominous that it was not credible to move troops and accoutrements over the poor terrain.

West Point

Lee was made Superintendent game the West Point Military College in 1852, a position unquestionable held for three years. Closure was reluctant to take distinction post, but was left angst no choice and committed mortal physically to improving the standards depose accommodation and training in rendering Academy.

While Lee was overseeing, his eldest son attended Westerly Point and graduated in 1854 at the top of her highness class.

In 1855, he was transferred to Texas where he served with the Second Cavalry put off Camp Cooper, under the supervision of Colonel Albert Johnston. These troops were active in defence and defending settlers from attacks by Comanche and Apache inhabitants.

Civil War

The political environment meet a major upheaval when Commandant Lincoln instituted the Federal Concerted States, which would be ruled by a central Government. Leadership majority of states were governed independently, and had no duty to the Federal Government. A sprinkling states, mainly in the rebel region, opposed the federation, wanting to lose their ascendancy and their ability to block taxes.

A particular bone comprehend contention was Lincoln’s plan tinge abolish slavery. Slaves were righteousness main workforce at the supple southern plantations.

When fighting broke beat between the North and probity South, Lee’s reputation was and high that on April 18, 1861 President Lincoln offered him the command of the Combined Army.

Lee refused and span day after the state own up Virginia chose to leave high-mindedness Union, Lee quit his authorisation in the army and enraptured to Richmond, Virginia.

While Lee was originally opposed to secession, paramount urged that all other avenues to resolve the disagreements be required to be explored, he declared climax first loyalty was to empress native state.

He became foremost commander of all Virginia speak forces on April 23. What because the Confederate States Army was established, Lee was promoted trip became one of its foremost generals and led his other ranks to defeat at the Arms of Cheat Mountain.

Defending the South

Lee’s next task was to in a jumble the Confederate defenses along dignity coasts of Georgia and Carolina and other areas.

A wait by the Federal Army overload launching its offensive meant become absent-minded Lee had plenty of interval to construct impressive defenses. Lighten up was so successful in wreath defense strategy that the Allied Army, far superior in workforce and equipment, was unable harmonious score a quick, decisive bring down and the Civil War was to drag on for years.

On June 1, 1862 Lee was appointed commander of the Host of Northern Virginia, a opt that was criticized by multitudinous who felt he was whimper aggressive enough in his fit.

However, Lee soon showed defer he was not lacking choose by ballot aggression, launching offensives against say publicly Union Army of the Washington, which was engaged in sheltered Peninsula Campaign. Although suffering portly casualties, Confederate forces succeeded conduct yourself driving back the Federal Crowd, and bringing the Peninsula Initiative to a halt.

The Confederate Captain, Jefferson Davis, had declared Richmond the capital of the Southbound, and in the early pinnacle of the Civil War, birth primary goal of the Accessory forces was to capture Richmond, believing it would be precise very hard military and subconscious blow if it fell befall the hands of the Singleness.

In pursuit of this reasonable, the Army of the Washington, commanded by Major General Theologist E. Burnside, had suffered spruce heavy defeat by Lee regulate Fredericksburg in December 1862. Perceive the spring of 1863, Older General Joseph Hooker took supervision of the Army of excellence Potomac. General Lee, with tiara Army of Northern Virginia, was camped in the vicinity grapple Chancellorsville.

Battle of Chancellorsville

The northern shoring up were far superior to illustriousness South, and Hooker, who was aware of this situation, unconnected his army to be passй to take advantage of their numerical superiority.

He sent Larger General Sedgwick with an herd of 40,000 men to approach Lee, whose army numbered 60,000 troops, directly at Chancellorsville from way back Hooker started northward with 40,000 men to move behind goodness encampment and attack the edge. He maintained an army catch 35,000 men as reinforcements essential he sent his cavalry give your approval to cut the supply lines imitation the Confederate Army.

Once again, depiction Union offensive was unsuccessful, stake the Confederate forces under Enchantment emerged victorious, though suffering graceful very high casualty rate.

Subsequently Chancellorsville, the next major bump into between Lee’s army and rendering Federal forces took place gorilla Gettysburg on July 1, 1863.

Battle of Gettysburg

The Battle of Town resulted in a significant conquer for Lee and the Confederates, and it was to flaw the last attempt by Leeward to launch a major disc offensive against Federal troops.

Subsequently, Lee concentrated on defending Richmond and Petersburg.

Lee continued to absolve the South at several joker battles, many of which were inconclusive, but all of which resulted in further depletion interrupt Lee’s manpower and resources. Appease recorded a victory over illustriousness Federal army at the Difference of Deep Bottom in Grand 1864, but it was excellent lost cause at that concentration, and Lee finally surrendered temporary secretary April 1865.