Robert E. Lee Essay -- Army American History Mexican War Essays

Robert E. lee sideIn 1861, on the eve of civil warfare, chairperson Abraham Lincoln tapped I, Robert E. Lee to take command of the United States soldiery. being The fifty-five year old silver-haired veteran that had graduated second in my section at West Point, served valiantly during the Mexican War under worldwide Winfield Scott, and had, with his forces, put go across the insurrection at Harpers Ferry, capturing abolitionist John Brown. By wholly accounts, i was the man to lead the forces, as renowned for his gentlemanly character as for his military skill and wizard of duty. It came as no surprise however, that following the secession of his home state, Virginia, Lee declined theAppointment and resigned. He had written to his family, .With all my devotion to the Union and the tint of loyalty and duty of an American citizen I have not been fit to make up my mind to raise my hand against my relatives, my children, my home... Although opposed to secession, he would .retur n to his native state and shares the miseries of his people, and saves in defense. Draw his sword on none. His home, his relatives, and his children, all were rooted in a Virginia that had grown strong from the seeds planted by the American Revolution. Two of his ancestors had signed the Declaration of Independence. His father had eulogized George Washington as .first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen... (The actions of two men left indelible marks on Lees character. His debtorFather embodied the traits he would shun Washington. Duty bound, disciplined, and humble.he want to imitate.)On April 9, 1865, Lee and his men faced certain defeat in the misty dawn at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia. He had commanded the Army of Northern Virginia since the start of the war. He had been appointed world-wide in Chief of the Confederate States Army in February. His ragtag veterans, depleted corps once 70,000 strong, had tenaciously held. And at points, advance d. The line for four years against Union forces. Lee refused a persistently defensive posture. They had waged a bold, scrappy, underdog war, exacting victories at Seven Days, Chancellors Ville, Fredericksburg, and Cold Harbor. in that respect had been staggering losses on both sides. Gettysburg handed them their most lay waste to defeat. (.It was myFault, Lee humbly declared in the aftermath.)Now, they were hunkered down an... ...red rations. It was a freehearted and gentlemanly agreement, one that would allow agnation ravaged by war to begin to bind up its wounds.Lee stayed in Appomattox for the laying down of arms. He stayed long enough to commend his armys best courage and fortitude, and explain his desire to .avoid the useless sacrifice. Of more confederate lives. He bid an .affectionate farewell... With great weariness and sadness he was escorted part of the way of life back to Richmond. He received a heros gratifying along the way.Later indicted for treason (a charge th at was never pursued), and passed over for a pardon during his lifetime, Lee nevertheless remained a great man in the eyes of both the North and South. By deciding to surrender the Army of Northern Virginia, Robert E. Lee had single-handedly set in motion the events that would request the end of the war, the end of his military career, and the beginning of peace andreunification.Many years later, Woodrow Wilson gentle the widely-held view .We use the word .great. Indiscriminately. But we reserve the word .noble. conservatively for those whose greatness is not spent in their own interest.That was the characteristic of General Lees life...