Curiously, he didn't want to. He asked the elderly General-in-Chief, Winfield Scott, if he could stay neutral. The old man snarled that he didn't want fence-sitters.
So Lee had to decide whether he was an American first and a Virginian second, or the other way about.
He decided he was a Virginian first - and reluctantly resigned his US Army commission and joined the Confederates.
Robert E. Lee commanded the Confederate troops in the civil war.
Robert E Lee was interested in winning the civil war.
Robert E. Lee was the commanding general of the Confederate army in the American Civil War.
The Army of Northern Virginia was commanded by Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee worked as a Confederateleader.
Robert E. Lee was known for fighting for the south for slaves.
Robert E. Lee was defeated in the US Civil War.
Robert E. Lee commanded the Confederate troops in the civil war.
Robert E Lee was interested in winning the civil war.
Robert E. Lee was the commanding general of the Confederate army in the American Civil War.
Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee
In the Civil War, Robert E. Lee was part of the Confederate side.
Robert E Lee was an army officer before the Civil War.
The Civil War.
The Army of Northern Virginia was commanded by Robert E. Lee
Many of them were, including Robert E. Lee. Others were still needed to run the plantations.