Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee
Robert Edward Leewas an American general known for commanding the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War from 1862 until his surrender in 1865. The son of Revolutionary War officer Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee III, Lee was a top graduate of the United States Military Academy and an exceptional officer and military engineer in the United States Army for 32 years. During this time, he served throughout the United States, distinguished himself during the Mexican–American War,...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionPolitician
Date of Birth19 January 1807
CityStratford Hall, VA
CountryUnited States of America
To be a good soldier, you must love the army. To be a good commander, you must be willing to order the death of the thing you love.
History teaches us hope.
Abandon your animosities and make your sons Americans!
The questions which for years were in dispute between the State and General Government, and which unhappily were not decided by the dictates of reason, but referred to the decision of war, having been decided against us, it is the part of wisdom to acquiesce in the result, and of candor to recognize the fact.
It is glorious to see such courage in one so young.
All this has been my fault.
We have fought this fight as long, and as well as we know how. We have been defeated. For us as a Christian people, there is now but one course to pursue. We must accept the situation.
There is scarcely anything that is right that we cannot hope to accomplish by labor and perseverance. But the first must be earnest and the second unremitting.
So far from engaging in a war to perpetuate slavery,I am rejoiced that slavery is abolished.
With all my devotion to the Union, and the feeling of loyalty and duty of an American citizen, I have not been able to make up my mind to raise my hand against my relative, my children, my home. I have, therefore, resigned my commission in the Army...
Lee tells his troops. After four years of arduous service marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to overwhelming numbers and resources.
But what a cruel thing is war to separate and destroy families and friends.
Teach him to deny himself.
Wisdom is nothing more than healed pain.