Robert E. Lee

Robert Edward Lee was the most famous Confederacy General in the Civil war. He was first a U.S. soldier, the became a General. He attended West Point, graduating second in his class (which is why he's known for his wits!). In 1862, he was made commander of the Confederacy

Because the casket used was a bit too small for his body

No, He was born in 1807 so he was a young boy during the War of 1812.

Well he was a General in the Civil War and then went on to be one of Presidents of the United States of America.

Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia. The exact place was in the parlor in the home of one Wilmer McLean. McLean had moved his family away from their home near Manassas shortly after the First Battle of Bull Run. A move to get away from the fighting that would ultimately put him in the path of it once again.

Lee and his Army of Northern Virginia, the only sizeable Confederate army still in action, were defeated by the Army of the Potomac, commanded by George Meade.

Some say that Meade should therefore have taken the surrender.

However, Lee was also General-in-Chief of the Confederates, so others say that U.S. Grant, as General-in-Chief of the Union, was the right one to do the honours - as he did, at a poignant meeting between America's two top soldiers.

Lee wore colonel's rank insignia during his surrender to Grant. Since being placed in command of the Army of Northern Virginia in 1862, Lee has held the rank of "general" which, of course, makes him senior in rank to the lieutenant generals under his command (Jackson, Longstreet, etc..) Nevertheless, Lee continued to wear a simple coat with the 3 stars on the collar, which is the rank insignia of a Conferderate colonel. The coat worn at the surrender is believed to be a separate coat that Lee kept for formal occasions and likely was worn rarely, if at all, during the war. He also woar a sash and his sword at the surrender, which he never wore day-to-day. Grant, on the other hand, wore his equally simple private's coat with the 3-star lieutenant general's shoulder epaulets that he had worn throughout the Overland campaign.

Robert E. Lee surrendered to Grant because the Confederate army was in horrible shape. Plus the Confederate States of America's capital had been captured by the Union. The capital was Richmond, Virginia I think.

The capture of Harper's Ferry with its arsenal was something the Confederates began while still moving north, about five days before the battle. There were 12,000 Yankees in Harper's Ferry and Lee did not want to go past them and leave them behind him, in case they came out and attacked him army while it was going north. It took several days for Jackson's men to get on the three heights overlooking the town and emplace cannon there - one across the Potomac on the Maryland side, and one on either side of the Shenandoah. Once there they had to bombard the Yankees some to convince them to surrender, which they only did after the Rebels began an attack. Meanwhile a copy of Lee's orders had been found by the Yankees, who moved with unusual haste for them, to bring on a battle. Lee was not expecting to fight quite that soon. Jackson left only one division at Harper's Ferry, to finish paroling prisoners and start captured was munitions south. That division marched very rapidly tot he battle and arrived just in the nick of time to save the Confederates from disaster, as the day of the battle was ending.

They went to the same military academy, West Point. But not at the same time - Lee was much older than Grant.

This was Second Manassas (Second Bull Run) in August 1862.

Lee had to act quickly to defeat one part of the Union army, under Pope, before McLellan's larger army was able to reinforce it.

His diversionary tactics were entirely successful, and the Union troops were totally routed.

No. He died five years after the Civil War ended. He died of pneumonia.

yes actually i am his 15th cousin three times removed

A fellow virginian, Washington's virtues and courage inspired Lee to his sense of honor and duty. Lee was always quoting him, and said there was no man like Washington.

Robert E Lee declined the offer of Union forces because he was originally from Virginia, and they had joined the Confederacy. He felt that it was not loyal to fight for the Union, when his own state was part of the Confederate States of America.

yes

The Confederate defeat in the US Civil War resulted in a severe personal loss for Robert E. Lee. His family plantation was taken by the Federal government. His former land on the Potomac River is now the site of the Arlington National Cemetery.

General Robert Edward Lee ( Robert E. Lee ) died 12 October , 1870 in Lexington , Virginia , at age 63 from the effects of Pneumonia . .. He dies shortly after 9 am . ...One month before his death , on 28 September , 1870 , Lee suffered a stroke that left him without the ability to speak . ..He is believe to be buried underneath Lee Chapel at Washington and Lee University in Lexington , Virginia .

A hard-driving energy that was in the full Confederate spirit.

A noble streak that inspired fanatical loyalty.

A particular skill at wrong-footing and unnerving the enemy.

No. He was considered a traitor to the Union and lost his plantation for back taxes of 99.00. He tried to pay it, but they wanted him to pay in person so he couldn't since he commanded the southern troops. His home was taken and the graves of Union soldiers were placed there. It is now known as Arlington where the presidents and fallen soldiers of war are buried. When he surrendered it was VERY lucky to be able to go home instead of prison.

NEW RESPONDENT

Only to add something interesting it is worth remembering that, in 1863 after Chancellorsville Lee was donated a precious Sword of Honor by "a Marylander" as a sign of gratitude for his great military accomplishments in defence of the Confederacy.

An example to the young - perhaps the finest American soldier ever born.

And an image of the best side of the Confederate character - a sincere, honourable Southern planter-aristocrat, who inspired deep loyalty to the very end, when his men were barefoot and starving. When the final defeat came, he faced it in a manly and responsible style, forbidding the troops to start guerrilla operations in the hills, but to hand in their weapons and go home in an orderly fashion.

He was the embodiment of the Lost Cause.

Probably something near the beginning of the Mexican-American war. Before that, Lee was an Army engineer designing and building forts along the east coast of the US.

I don't think that Lee was part of the US invasion of Veracruz, but was heavily involved in the later US march to, and capture of Mexico City. The American forces were commanded by Gen Winfield Scott, and Lee (Then Captain Lee) was one of Scott's favorite soldiers.

Not at all. His father was "Lighthorse Harry" Lee, a famous Revolutionary War general. While Harry squandered his money on various vices, Robert still was not poor. His good name helped him marry into George Washington's family. Custis-lee you mean. No. Robert Lee's home was the Curtis-Lee mansion that is now located at Arlington Cemetery. The Union began burying their dead at his home as a way of punishment so it would never be occuppied again.

At that time of his career, Robert E. Lee was in the engineer corps. He helped make preparations for battle. At one time he was trapped behind enemy lines and came close to being captured. Good reference book: "So Far From God" by John Eisenhower(son of the President)