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Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee was the general of the Confederate Army during the US Civil War.
990 Questions
Why did Robert E Lee invade Pennsylvania and engaged the Union army at Gettysburg?
He wanted to demoralize the Union
No. Robert E. Lee was a deeply faithful Christian. He worshiped with his family at Christ Church in Alexandria, VA, where he was confirmed in 1853 by The Rev. John Johns. A plaque on the rail marks the spot to this day. He was never a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the "Mormon" church).
Did Jefferson Davis give Robert E Lee permission to surrender?
No. Richmond had fallen by that time, and Davis had fled.
Lee was advised to surrender by his other Generals.
The answer to the questions that modern day historians have concerning the intentions of Robert E. Lee are based on several factors. The Battle of Gettysburg has always had a high profile among US Civil War historians and the public at large ( those who are known to have an interest such as students and book publishers )A cynical motive revolves around the US university system of "publish or perish". The battle in question was a long three day open field battle. US President Lincoln made a special trip to visit the battlefield. Lee's own writings on the battle uses terms that may have different meanings.
One school of thought weighs heavily towards the perceived motives of the 1862 Battle of Antietam. There and as in Gettysburg, some historians place Lee's motives as more political than military. The true motive say some historians was the idea of influencing the 1864 presidential elections. In 1863, more then at times previous, the Northern anti-war sentiment was stronger than ever. A stronger one would be created if the Army of the Potomac failed to display the resolve needed to injure Lee and Northern Democrat war descent would have a stronger case for ending hostilities. This is very understandable in that the South was not seeking to overtake the US government. Surely many Northerners and possible military recruits would have to ask themselves whether risking one's life on the abstract notion that losing the South, a eleven state 11 million farm community was worth dying for.
Another cynical view revolved around the possibility that the new Republican Party "created" a fear factor in order to keep the political gains it already had. What would be more forceful of an election campaign claim that the United States would remain united thanks to the Republican Party? Also, Northern textile mills preferred buying their cotton from another US state rather than paying a higher price to another nation, namely the Confederate States of America? And markets for Northern produced products might be reduced if the South should break away.
Other historians believe that Lee was certain of a victory and nothing but good things would be the result of a poor showing by Meade's Army of the Potomac. Lee had confidence in his army and he envisioned a battle against tire Union forces that would be wearied from their march to intercept him in Pennsylvania.
Another school of thought was that Lee and Jefferson Davis had made a serious miscalculation. That an overwhelming Union army, strong in numbers and better artillery would sink whatever motives Lee had. To these experts the battle was a mute point. As such, they neglect however to point out what a devastating blow to the South to lose their vanguard army the Army of Northern Virgina.
What did general Robert e lee think was wrong to own?
Slaves. He was the most revered and respected person in the Confederacy and he was against slavery. He freed the slaves that had come to him by way of his father-in-law's estate will.
Did Robert E. Lee whip his slaves?
Since 1859, there have been "accusations" that Lee, once, was involved in the whipping of three runaway slaves. However, to my knowledge, there is no evidence that Lee ordered anyone to be whipped or that he personally whipped anyone.
Several publications have repeated these allegations during this millennium; however, they have not supplied necessary corroboration to make these accusations factual in my opinion.
If you have any evidence or nonbias testimony concerning this incident, please send them to me. I'd like to read them:
Tom Forehand, Jr.
taftj@juno.com
Why was Lee county named after Robert E. Lee?
because robert e lee went to lee county
alot and was a general.
The Land Ordinance helped families develop these on small parcels of land?
it helped families develop farms.
How could men such as Robert E. Lee say they opposed slavery yet fight for the South?
: The war was as much about State Rights as about slavery. : For men like Robert E. Lee the case was not so much the political question of whether to support or oppose slavery or whether to support or oppose secession but a case of duty to their country or duty to their state. It was the states that created the Union. Additionally, to be fair, one must place their thoughts as if they were raised and lived in the USA of 1860. Not easy to do.
For Robert E. Lee his list of duties ran in this order. Duty to Family, duty to Virginia, duty the Union.
When Virginia left the Union for Lee, who thought himself first and foremost a Virginian, there was no question about whether or not he would fight for or against Virgina. He would always choose Virginia first. The question was would Virginia remain neutral or join the Confederacy? Either way Lee would always follow Virginia.
Joseph E. Johnston was the same. Joe didn't support slavery, never owned a slave (though his father and brothers did), was friends with a slave in his youth but he to thought of himself as a Virginian first and an American second.
I bring him up for the reason that a conversation between his wife Lydia and General in Chief of the United States Winfield Scott shows the mind of many Southern officers in the United States Army.
"Get him to stay with us" Scott said to her. "We will never disturb him in any way."
"My husband cannot stay in an army which is about to invade his native country" she replied
"Then let him leave our army," Scott said. "but do not let him join theirs."
"This is all very fine." she said. "but how is Joe Johnston to live? He has no private fortune. And no profession, or no profession but that of arms."
To this Scott had not answer.
One of Winfield's four options presented to President Lincoln was to "let our sisters go". He expressed great fear for the people of the South in event of a war.
: I agree. Robert E. Lee did not fight for the south because of slavery, but because he was too loyal to his family, friends, and home state to fight against them.
Was General Robert E Lee's slave wife from Africa?
General Lee did not have a slave wife, nor did he own any slaves. Gen. Grant owned 3 slaves. The photo of one of them is displayed at Appomatox Manor Battlefield Park in Hopewell VA.
(From new respondent) This may be a reference to Lee's wife's father (Custis), who owned many slaves. Custis had gained popularity with these slaves by promising them that they would be freed on his death. Unfortunately he did not explain that they were classified as property in his will, and that they would have to wait until the will was administered, which would take a couple of years.
Lee was executor of the will, and had to cope with the slaves, who were feeling swindled and rebellious. His disciplining of them (in some cases, with the whip) has been criticised as brutal, though it is possible to see it as necessary.
Like many respectable Southerners, Lee appeared to believe (conveniently?) that slavery was a God-given provision, and that God would bring it to an end when He saw fit.
What did general Joseph hooker quote to Robert e lee before the Battle of Chancellorsville?
After having successfully crossed the Rappahannock and Rapidan and near to have carried out the concentration of 75,000 men at Chancellorsville, Joseph Hooker addressed to the Army a message. After congratulating ranks and files on having brilliantly carried out the manoeuvre, claimed: " Our enemy has ingloriously to flee or come out of his entrenchments and give us battle on our soil, where a certain destruction awaits him "
What did Robert E lee mean when he said I'm an Virginian first and n American second?
He meant that if his state of Virginia voted Confederate, it was his duty to go with his state and join the Confederate army.
I do not believe he handed in a formal resignation, but he left the military and became President of Washington College which is now Washington and Lee University.
When did Confederate General Lee divide his army in Maryland into three detachments?
On September 9, 1862, Robert E. Lee decided to divide his army into three detachments. This was primarily due to the fact that he learned that Harper's Ferry had a large Union garrison. Unless Harper's Ferry was captured, the Union troops there would be able to cut his supply lines.
What did Robert E. Lee teach at the United states Military academy?
In September 1852, Lee became the superintendent of West Point, and retained that post for three years.
When Robert E Lee got married how old was he?
24 years old. He was married to Mary Custis, adopted granddaughter of George Washington.
Why did the North not hang Robert E. Lee?
Because Grant had made generous terms at the surrender, promising Lee that if his men handed in their weapons and went home, there would be no persecution or show-trials.
There was talk of hanging Jefferson Davis, as President of the breakaway nation, but after a couple of years in jail, he was released and lived out the rest of his life in peace.
What has the author Laurel Lee Roberts written?
Laurel Lee Roberts has written:
'Relationship of personality traits to elements of instructional media design'
Why did Robert E. Lee invade the North?
He wanted to invade the north for four reasons. 1. to feed his troops with the north's food 2. to prove they can win battles to get European allies 3. to lure out the Federal army and destroy it and 4. to make the northern public tire of the war
Why is Washington and Lee University named after Robert E. Lee?
He was the president of Washington College following the civil war. Following his death, it was named W&L.
What are Robert E. Lees leadership qualities?
A quick mover, who could steal a march on the enemy, and wrong-foot him by refusing to fight on the field he had chosen.
His bold tactics inspired the rank-&-file, and his early string of victories across Virginia in the summer of 1862 made them feel that they were a great army.
These triumphs, however, were really the product of the Lee-Jackson partnership, and after Stonewall's death at Chancellorsville, neither Lee nor his army was ever the same again.
Aside from the purely military virtues, Lee exuded a sense of human greatness, distinctly missing in most of the other Generals - a dignified Southern aristocrat, full of the Confederate spirit at its noblest.
