How did Robert E. Lee join the military?

Answer 1

Because the Union previously asked Lee to command the Union but Lee said he would fight with whoever Virginia fought for and Virginia was in the Confederate states

IMPROVEMENT.

That's correct, but Lee didn't and couldn't "decide" to become the Commander of the Confederate troops.

He was instead "appointed" to General in Chief by President Davis on Feb. 6,1865.

Answer 2

Robert E. Lee was born to be a soldier. He came from a famous military family. His father, Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee, was George Washington's favorite cavalry commander. He also had ancestors who had fought with William the Conqueror in the Crusades

Answer 3

Robert E. Lee was born in Virginia. His father, who was the Governor of Virginia, was General Henry Lee III, or Light Horse Harry of the Continental Army, retired. Robert E. Lee was one of the top graduates of West Point, and served with distinction in the U.S. Army. Things deteriorated and the Union and Confederate states were setting up for the coming conflict. Lee was a colonel in the U.S. Army at the time. Lee didn't like the idea of fighting against the Union, and he didn't care for "Confederate" politics. But he was adamant about taking a stand to defend his home state. Lincoln offered Lee a commission to the post of Major General, U.S. Army, but when Virginia seceded, he turned down the offer and went over to the Confederate forces. Robert E. Lee didn't "appear out of the blue" to take a command in the Confederate forces. He had long served in the U.S. Army and his skill and experience was sought out by both sides in the conflict.

Answer 4

Robert E. Lee became a Confederate general in 1861, at the beginning of the Civil War.

He had been offered command of the Union army by President Lincoln, but refused on the grounds that he could not attack Virginia, his home state and a new member of the Confederacy.

Answer 5

In 1852 he was appointed superintendent of West Point, and during his three years here he carried out many important changes in the academy. Under him as cadets were his son G. W. Custis Lee, his nephew, Fitzhugh Lee and J. E. B. Stuart, all of whom became general officers in the Civil War. In 1855 he was appointed as lieut.-colonel to the 2nd Cavalry, commanded by Colonel Sidney Johnston, with whom he served against the Indians of the Texas border.

Answer 6

Lee became a Confederate General at the beginning of the Civil War, and commanded the Army of Northern Virginia till it surrendered to U.S. Grant in April 1865.

He was also appointed to the new post of General-in-Chief of all the Confederate armies in January 1865, too late to make any difference.

Answer 7

Robert E. Lee had a highly respected reputation in the U.S. Army beginning long before the War Between the States. He graduated second in his class at Westpoint(the U.S. Military Academy).He graduated in the Class of 1829 with ZERO demerits(marks against his record for violating Academy regulations) during his four years of attendance at Westpoint. Upon qraduation Lee enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the Engineer Corps. Over the next 30 years he served honorably and voluntarily put himself in danger in the Mexican War to cross a jagged lava field to find a passageway for the Army,among other examples of devoted service. At the start of the War Between the States Robert E. Lee was so highly regarded that he was offered Command of all U.S. forces by President Abraham Lincoln. Lee declined the offer saying he could not "raise his sword against Virginia"(his home state).He then tendered his resignation from the U.S. Army and offered his service to the Governor of Virginia,which offer was accepted. His first year in Confederate service was mixed in its' result. He served for a time during the first year of the war as Military Advisor to President Jefferson Davis.At the severe wounding of Gen. Joseph Johnston at the Battle of Seven Pines on May 31, 1862 President Davis appointed Gen. Lee to field command of Confederate forces around Richmond. Beginning with the 'Seven Days' Battles from June 25, 1862 until the end of the War, Lee for the most part out-smarted and out-fought the Union Army through six changes of Command. Finally, in May of 1864 when Lee's Army was extremely battle-worn and depleted Ulysses Grant engaged the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia for the first time. Through relentless pressure and concerted attacks Gen. Grant was finally able to bring Lee to surrender,4/9/'65.

Answer 8

Lee was admitted to the US Military Academy at West Point in 1825, graduated in 1829, and was commissioned an officer of the US Army. West Point had only been open as the nation's training school for future officers for twenty-three years when Lee arrived. There were 250 places in each year's class, and in those days appointments as a cadet were made by the president, usually based on the recommendations of the Secretary of War. Lee had applied in person to Secretary John C. Calhoun, and submitted numerous letters of recommendation, including ones from five Senators and three Congressmen. It probably also helped that Lee's father had been an authentic hero of the Revolution, and had served in Calhoun's native state of South Carolina.

Answer 9

Robert E. Lee had the best abilities