Famous People of the Civil War

Learning about the lives of some famous Civil War era individuals

Robert E. Lee

Robert E. Lee was a Confederate general who led the South’s attempt at secession during the Civil War. He challenged Union forces during the war’s bloodiest battles, including Antietam and Gettysburg, before surrendering to Union General Ulysses S. Grant.

Early Life

Lee was born on January 19, 1807 in Stratford, Virginia to the famous Revolutionary War hero, Harry “Light Horse” Lee and Anna Hill Carter Lee. Robert was one of six children and at age eleven, this father died of an illness and his mother too fell sick. This left Lee to take care of his younger sister, his ailing mother, and the entire house. After years of hard work at his home, Lee finally left home to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point. Lee would graduate from West Point second in his class, without a single demerit. He was also chosen to be apart of the honorary Cadet Corps’ Adjutant.

Prior to the Civil War

After graduating, Lee worked on several engineering projects in New York and Virginia until the Mexican-American War broke out. During the war, Lee distinguished himself as a great military mind and was awarded three brevets throughout the duration of the war. Lee had proven himself has a terrific guide and scout and in 1855 he was promoted to lieutenant colonel of the 2nd US Cavalry. During the early part of his military career, Lee spent time at various posts throughout the country. In October 1859 Lee traveled to Harper’s Ferry and put down the revolt by the abolitionist John Brown.

General Lee was soon to make a big decision, to stay with the Union or defend his home state of Virginia in the Confederacy. Will he stay with his country that has brought him this far in life, or stay loyal to the state his father once governed?

Civil War

Robert E.Lee made a decision that changed the war. He decided to trade sides, over to the Confederacy. This was a hard decision for him to make, but he did it and now must fulfill it. His reason fro the switch was teh loyalty he had for his home state of Virginia. His family history in the south played a major part in the decision, going against the state his father once governed would be a trajedy to him. Int he mind of Mr. Lee, this overcame the Union giving him all of his military training and experience in the battles of the Mexican American War. He started as the commander of the Virginian National Guard, or at that time their militia. Soon, Robert E. Lee would be known as the third highest ranking General in the Confederate States of America’s Army.

Now one of commanders of the Confederate Army, Lee was one of the greater fears that faced the Union Army. His first battle in command was the Seven Day’s Battle. Although this was his first victory, he suffered 20,000 casualties in this efforts. Along with “Stonewall” Jackson, General Lee fought at the battle of Chancellorsville. But this proved to be one battle that would wound the Confederates more than anything else. During this battle, Jackson was wounded and later died. But this did not stop General Lee from fighting, his next attempt to free the south was in the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. But Lee’s aggressiveness was too much for even his army. He was then flanked from behind by the Union, losing the battle.

Gen Robert E Lee Maj porch home April 1865

After the War and Later Life

On April 9th, 1865, General Robert E. Lee, and Ulysses S. Grant held a meeting in the village of Appomattox, in which, they discussed the terms if General Lee’s surrender. The surrendered confederate officers and troops were paroled and forbidden to handle weapons, until all the confederate weapons had been secured by the Union as captured property. General Lee road disconsolately back to his lines, where he was greeted by his adoring, grieving troops. The following day, he bid adieu to his beloved army. After the Civil War, Lee returned to Richmond as a paroled prisoner of war. For the remainder of his life, he continued to be a role model for all Confederate veterans, and ex-Confederates. He became the President of Washington College in Lexington Virginia. Lee remained President of the College until his death on October 12th, 1870. The college has since then been renamed Washington and Lee College.

Fast Facts

Fast Fact # 1

In 1825, Robert E Lee entered the United States Military Academy and he graduated without any demerits. Known for his attention to detail, Lee originally served as a US Army engineer with his duties varying from budgeting to building designs for buildings.

Fast Fact # 2

Lee married Mary Custis who was the great-granddaughter of Martha Washington, the first, First Lady of the United States. Even though Lee knew Mary since childhood, they started courting in 1829, and with the approval of Mary’s father, the couple was wed on June 30, 1831, and they went on to have seven children.

Fast Fact # 3

Lee’s first command assignment during in the Civil War was commanding Confederate forces in western Virginia. During the Battle of Cheat Mountain in September 1861, Lee was defeated by Union General William S. Rosencrans. He was widely criticized by the press, which blamed him for the Confederate losses and even relieved by Jefferson Davis.