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Lee graduated from West Point without a single demerit. He was a hero of the Mexican War and served as the Commandant of West Point between the wars. Having been offered the command of what was to become the Army of the Potomac at the beginning of the Civil War, he resigned his commission rather than fight against Virginia when it seceded from the Union. Later, he took over command of the Army of Northern Virginia and along with Stonewall Jackson, fought a series of brilliant victories over the Army of the Potomac in what were essentially spoiling attacks that kept the Union forces at bay for three years. Less successful on the offensive, losing at Antietam and Gettysburg, he eventually surrendered to Grant ant Appomattox, and, surprisingly, helped many former Confederates to reintegrate into the Union by his example of taking the oath of allegiance. He became the President of Washington College which changed its name to Washington & Lee after his death.

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11y ago

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