The Life of Robert E Lee - 701 Words

In life we all want to see things as black and white, cut and dry, and easy to understand. This is not the case with Robert E. Lee. He was smart, loyal and above all, complicated. We like to make him out as some old general guy who fought for the South in the Civil War. Eventually lost at Gettysburg and because it was the turning point of the Civil War; he became famous for losing. He is a lot more than just that. He was an actual person who, from his birth up to his death, dealt with real life situations. On January 19, 1807, Robert E. Lee was born in Stratford, Virginia to Henry and Anne Lee. His father was a Revolutionary War hero, nicknamed Light-Horse Harry†, also being a Major General. Being born in a military family, Robert seemed likely to follow in his father’s footsteps. When he was 18, he enrolled into West Point Military Academy where he graduated second in his class in 1829. In 1831, he met and married his wife Mary Anna Randolph Custis, the great granddaughter of George Washington and Martha Washington. They later had seven children: four daughters and three sons. Instead of doing anything combat related he served in the Corps of Engineers, looking over the construction of the United States’ coastal defenses. However, his service in the Mexican-American war in 1846 changed that. Being a member of General Winfield, he made himself stand out, earning three brevets for gallantry and gaining the rank of colonel from the war. After that,Show MoreRelatedEssay on The Life of Robert E. Lee667 Words   |  3 PagesThe Life of Robert E. Lee Robert Edward Lee was born on January 19th, 1807 in Stratford, Virginia. Roberts father was thrown in debtors jail many times for not paying on time. He was introduced to war early in his life; his brother Sydney had shown him a cannon ball and told him about the revolution. Mrs. Lees stepson was old enough to claim the mansion where they lived that his dead mother had given to him in his will. The Lees left to live in Alexandria. Lee was brought up in a ChristianRead MoreRobert E. Lee s Life1237 Words   |  5 Pagesdiffering views on Robert E. Lee, which may be the reason so many historians find him intriguing, however, he still remains very much something of a mystery. Many earlier works, beginning in the late 19th and until the mid-20th century, Lee has often been portrayed as nearly saint-like, nearly clairvoyant with his defensive actions. Modern historiographies of Lee vary from the earlier works written as they seem to look more into the man, rather than the legend. Earlier biographies of Lee interpret himRead MoreRobert E Lee s Life1366 Words   |  6 Pages As Robert E. Lee said, â€Å"You cannot be a true man until you learn to obey.† This quote fits his life well as he worked his way up the chain to be the man and wonderful military leader he was. Robert started on the bottom and work his way all the way up to General. One of the bloodiest battles he was in was at Antietam as he was trying to gain Northern soil. Robert E Lee was born on January 19, 1807, in Stratford Hall, Virginia. He was born to Henry â€Å"Light Horse Larry† Lee and Anne HillRead MoreRobert E. Lee s Life2092 Words   |  9 PagesRobert E. Lee is considered by many as one of the greatest generals in the history of the United States. Even though Lee turned on his country, he is still loved by many. He is an influential figure in the eye of the public, especially in the south. The impact that Robert E. Lee had on the United States is enormous and cannot be measured. On January 19th, 1807, Robert Edward Lee was born in Stratford Hall, Virginia. He was the son of Henry â€Å"Light Horse Harry† Lee III, a general in the RevolutionaryRead MoreRobert E. Lee s Life3560 Words   |  15 Pagesdiffering views on Robert E. Lee, which may be the reason so many historians find him intriguing, however, he still remains very much something of a mystery. Many earlier works, beginning in the late 19th and until the mid-20th century, Lee has often been portrayed as nearly saint-like, nearly clairvoyant with his defensive actions. Modern historiographies of Lee vary from the earlier works written as they seem to look more into the man, rather than the legend. Earlier biographies of Lee interpret himRead MoreRobert E. Lee s Life2475 Words   |  10 Pages Robert E. Lee was a general for the Confederates during the American Civil War, who led the Army of Northern Virginia from June 1862, till the end of the war. Robert is a descended from the first famili es to set foot on Virginia soil. Robert E. Lee was a successful general even before the American Civil War. One of the best at the time in United States Army. Robert E. Lee was born in Virginia in Westmoreland County. He was the youngest in his family. His father was Henry Lee III and Ann Hill CarterRead MoreThe Life and Career of Robert E. Lee1072 Words   |  4 PagesRobert E. Lee Robert Edward Lee was born on January 19, 1807 in Stratford, Virginia. When he joined West Point, he graduated second in his class and had a demerit free record (Pryor). After he graduated from West Point, he enrolled into the Army in the Mexican American War. Once the Civil War came across America, Lee took the position as a general for the Confederacy. He proved to be a worthy general by winning the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, the Seven Days BattleRead MoreRobert E. Lee s Life During The Civil War1265 Words   |  6 Pagescontributed to the rise of anxiety and stress related medical disorders. Robert E. Lee, a brilliant Confederate general and skilled tactician, was such a case. General Lee s health during his pre-Civil War years was without blemish. However, with the beginning of the Civil War, Lee s health experienced noticeable decline. Later in his life, doctors diagnosed Lee with pericarditis, but more modern clinical evaluations of Robert E Lee s sy mptoms conclude that his condition was more likely attributed toRead MoreNew York : Three Rivers Press1608 Words   |  7 PagesH. W. Crocker III, Robert E. Lee on Leadership, in character, courage, and vision. New York: Three Rivers press, 2000. Ppx + 231. Bibliography and index. $14.95 (Paper). In this book Crocker attempts to layout valuable business lessons for today’s modern CEO through his historical story telling of Robert E Lee’s Life from his mid 30th until his death. This book â€Å"executive lessons in character, courage, and Vision† Covers 231 pages plus the index. Crocker starts off by explaining that heRead MoreRobert E Lee: A True American Hero Essay1638 Words   |  7 PagesAmerican History; Robert Edward Lee. Robert Edward Lee was a general in the American Civil War. He led his men and stood with them in each and every they were in and got many of them out safely. Robert E. Lee was born on January 19, 1807 at Stratford in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He was the youngest son of Major-General Henry â€Å"Light Horse Harry† Lee and his second wife, Ann Hill (Carter) Lee. His siblings from his father’s first wife are Philip Ludwell Lee, Lucy Grymes Lee, Henry Lee, and Nathaniel