What was the background of the commander of the confederate army?

Answer 1

Commander of the Army of Northern Virginia and, much later, Commander of Confederate Forces Robert E. Lee was a scion of one of the first families of Virginia (FFV). His father had been Washington's cavalry commander in the Revolution, and delivered Washington's eulogy. Lee graduated West Point second in his class with no demerits. He distinguished himself as a combat engineer in the Mexican War, becoming the aide to General Winfield Scott who, years later, offered him the command on the Union forces in the early days of the Civil War, prompting Lee to resign his commission and accept a commission in the Confederate Army when his home state of Virginia seceded.