Robert E. Lee
By: Joshua Markines, Adriana Hernandez
The Early Years
Robert E Lee was born on January 19, 1807. He studied at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated second in the class of 1829. 2 years later, he married Mary Anna Randolph Custis. He served as an officer in the Corps of Engineers for 17 years, supervising and checking the construction of the United States' coastal defenses. During the Mexican-American War of 1846, he served under General Winfield Scott. For 3 years he was a superintendent of West Point.
His Contribution to the Civil War
Lee was offered a position as commander of the Federal Forces by Abraham Lincoln himself. However, he declined due to the fact Virginia, a confederate state, was his home. Lee instead became a general in the Confederate Army. His first battle was at Cheat Mountain, Virginia. It was a Union victory. Lee served as a military adviser to Jefferson Davis until 1862. When General Joseph E. Johnston was wounded, Lee was given command of his army and renamed it the Army of Northern Virginia. Robert E. Lee launched an invasion into Maryland- this led to the Battle of Antietam. He took heavy causalities and had to withdraw under the cover of night. He later fought at Fredricksburg and later, he won at Chancellorsville. Lee led another invasion and met the Union army in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battle lasted for three days. He took responsibility for his defeat, and wrote to Jefferson Davis about his resignation. His final battle took place at Petersburg. He and his depleted army surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, ending the Civil War.
Life after the war
Lee returned home on parole and later became the President of Washington College in Virginia. He remained president until his death in October 12, 1870 in Lexington, Virginia.
Interesting Facts
His wife was a descendant of George Washington.
He was part of the militia that was ordered to stop the raid at Harper's Ferry.
He earned 3 brevets for gallantry under General Winfield Scott.
Emerged from the Mexican-American War as a colonel.
He was the fifth child in his family.