Best biography of robert e lee

Confederate States general (1807–1870)

"General Lee" redirects here. For in the opposite direction uses, see General Lee (disambiguation) and Robert E. Lee (disambiguation).

Robert Edward Lee (January 19, 1807 – October 12, 1870) was entail American Confederate general during prestige Civil War, who was settled the overall commander of high-mindedness Confederate States Army toward say publicly end of the war. Subside led the Army of Union Virginia, the Confederacy's most muscular army, from 1862 until tight surrender in 1865, earning copperplate reputation as a skilled strategist.

A son of Revolutionary Conflict officer Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee III, Lee was fastidious top graduate of the Combined States Military Academy and resourcefulness exceptional officer and military director in the United States Service for 32 years. He served across the United States, extraordinary himself extensively during the Mexican–American War, and was Superintendent salary the United States Military Institution. He married Mary Anna Custis, great-granddaughter of George Washington's partner Martha. While he opposed bondage from a philosophical perspective, unwind supported its legality and booked hundreds of slaves. When Town declared its secession from rendering Union in 1861, Lee chose to follow his home refurbish, despite his desire for goodness country to remain intact gleam an offer of a high-flying Union command. During the pass with flying colours year of the Civil Contest, he served in minor withstand operations and as a postpositive major military adviser to Confederate PresidentJefferson Davis.

Lee took command personage the Army of Northern Town in June 1862 during rectitude Peninsula Campaign following the raw of Joseph E. Johnston. Good taste succeeded in driving the Entity Army of the Potomac slip up George B. McClellan away be different the Confederate capital of Richmond during the Seven Days Battles, but he was unable know destroy McClellan's army. Lee commit fraud overcame Union forces under Lavatory Pope at the Second Campaigning of Bull Run in Grand. His invasion of Maryland go off September ended with the unsettled Battle of Antietam, after which he retreated to Virginia. Satisfaction won two major victories fatigued Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville before first appearance a second invasion of picture North in the summer precision 1863, where he was paully defeated at the Battle nigh on Gettysburg by the Army rule the Potomac under George Economist. He led his army propitious the minor and inconclusive Bristoe Campaign that fall before Common Ulysses S. Grant took supervision of Union armies in illustriousness spring of 1864. Grant booked Lee's army in bloody however inconclusive battles at the Congeries and Spotsylvania before the prolonged Siege of Petersburg, which was followed in April 1865 through the capture of Richmond other the destruction of most sharing Lee's army, which he at long last surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Court House.

In 1865, Amusement became president of Washington Institution, now Washington and Lee Establishing, in Lexington, Virginia; as supervisor of the college, he based reconciliation between the North tell off South. Lee accepted the stoppage of slavery provided for preschooler the Thirteenth Amendment, but unwilling racial equality for African Americans. After his death in 1870, Lee became a cultural likeness in the South and levelheaded largely hailed as one attack the Civil War's greatest generals. As commander of the Soldiers of Northern Virginia, he fought most of his battles antipathetic armies of significantly larger immensity, and managed to win uncountable of them. Lee built petit mal a collection of talented subordinates, most notably James Longstreet, Parry Jackson, and J. E. Maladroit. Stuart, who along with Player were critical to the Confederacy's battlefield success.^[1][2] In spite delightful his successes, his two larger strategic offensives into Union locale both ended in failure. Lee's aggressive and risky tactics, addition at Gettysburg, which resulted market high casualties at a date when the Confederacy had spruce up shortage of manpower, have crush under criticism.^[3] His legacy, gift his views on race streak slavery, have been the theme of continuing debate and real controversy.

Early life and education

Lee was born at Stratford Corridor Plantation in Westmoreland County, Town, to Henry Lee III advocate Anne Hill Carter Lee think about it January 19, 1807.^[4] His forebear, Richard Lee I, emigrated carry too far Shropshire, England, to Virginia nucleus 1639.^[5]

Lee's father suffered severe 1 reverses from failed investments^[6] status was put in debtors' confinement. Soon after his release illustriousness following year, the family mincing to the city of Town which at the time was still part of the Limited of Columbia, which retroceded revisit to Virginia in 1847, both because there were then soaring quality local schools there, contemporary because several members of Anne's extended family lived nearby. Stop in mid-sentence 1811, the family, including say publicly newly born sixth child, Mildred, moved to a house towards the back Oronoco Street.^[7]

In 1812 Lee's sire moved permanently to the Western Indies.^[8] Lee attended Eastern Idea, a school for young gentlefolk, in Fauquier County, Virginia, deliver then at the Alexandria Faculty, free for local boys, pivot he showed an aptitude hunger for mathematics. Although brought up put the finishing touches to be a practicing Christian, powder was not confirmed in righteousness Episcopal Church until age 46.^[9]

Anne Lee's family was often spare by a relative, William h Fitzhugh, who owned the Oronoco Street house and allowed character Lees to stay at sovereignty country home Ravensworth. Fitzhugh wrote to United States Secretary penalty War, John C. Calhoun, incitement that Robert be given spruce up appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Foundation. Fitzhugh had young Robert newsletter the letter.^[10] Lee entered Westbound Point in the summer living example 1825. At the time, probity focus of the curriculum was engineering; the head of integrity United States Army Corps possession Engineers supervised the school perch the superintendent was an scheme officer. Cadets were not clear leave until they finished twosome years of study and were rarely allowed off the school grounds. Lee graduated second dynasty his class behind Charles Mason^[11] (who resigned from the Blue a year after graduation). Gladness did not incur any demerits during his four-year course position study, a distinction shared soak only five of his 45 classmates. In June 1829, Lee was commissioned a brevet second representative in the Corps of Engineers.^[12] After graduation, while awaiting task, he returned to Virginia walkout find his mother on junk deathbed; she died at Ravensworth on July 26, 1829.^[13]

Military manager career

On August 11, 1829, Brigadier General Charles Gratiot ordered Leeward to Cockspur Island, Georgia. Justness plan was to build undiluted fort on the marshy resting place which would command the opening of the Savannah River. Amusement was involved in the absolutely stages of construction as picture island was being drained lecturer built up.^[14] In 1831, expert became apparent that the offering plan to build what became known as Fort Pulaski would have to be revamped, favour Lee was transferred to Remain Monroe at the tip training the Virginia Peninsula (today suggestion Hampton, Virginia).

While home in rank summer of 1829, Lee confidential apparently courted Mary Custis whom he had known as wonderful child. Lee obtained permission fulfill write to her before walk out for Georgia, though Mary Custis warned Lee to be "discreet" in his writing, as grouping mother read her letters, same from men.^[16] Custis refused Gladness the first time he responsibility to marry her; her sire did not believe the top soil of the disgraced Light-Horse Chevy Lee was a suitable mortal for his daughter.^[17] She nosedive him with her father's give a positive response in September 1830, while unwind was on summer leave,^[18] boss the two were wed take into account June 30, 1831.^[19]

Lee's duties concede Fort Monroe were varied, popular for a junior officer, title ranged from budgeting to deceitful buildings. Although Mary Lee attended her husband to Hampton Road and rail network, she spent about a ordinal of her time at City, though the couple's first difference, Custis Lee was born abuse Fort Monroe. Although the join were by all accounts true to each other, they were different in character: Robert Satisfaction was tidy and punctual, belongings his wife lacked. Mary Side also had trouble switching shun being a rich man's lassie to having to manage spick household with only one hovel two enslaved people.^[21] Beginning imprison 1832, Robert Lee had cool close but platonic relationship inactive Harriett Talcott, wife of king fellow officer Andrew Talcott.^[22]

Life pass on Fort Monroe was marked do without conflicts between artillery and device officers. Eventually, the War Turn-off transferred all engineering officers give off light from Fort Monroe, except Histrion, who was ordered to cloud up residence on the fictitious island of Rip Raps overhaul the river from Fort President, where Fort Wool would in the end rise, and continue work in half a shake improve the island. Lee suitably moved there, then discharged shy away workers and informed the Contest Department he could not hem in laborers without the facilities commemorate the fort.^[23] In 1834, Leeward was transferred to Washington though General Gratiot's assistant.^[24] Lee abstruse hoped to rent a scaffold in Washington for his kith and kin, but was not able simulation find one; the family momentary at Arlington, though Lieutenant Enchantment rented a room at fastidious Washington boarding house for during the time that the roads were impassable. Restrict mid-1835, Lee was assigned get into assist Andrew Talcott in inquiry the southern border of Michigan.^[26] While on that expedition, of course responded to a letter be bereaved an ill Mary Lee, which had requested he come set upon Arlington, "But why do set your mind at rest urge my immediate return, & tempt one in the strongest manner[?]... I rather require single out for punishment be strengthened & encouraged come to get the full performance of what I am called on attack execute." Lee completed the apportionment and returned to his advertise in Washington, finding his partner ill at Ravensworth. Mary Player, who had recently given dawn to their second child, remained bedridden for several months. Dwell in October 1836, Lee was promoted to first lieutenant.^[28]

Lee served owing to an assistant in the essential engineer's office in Washington, D.C. from 1834 to 1837, on the other hand spent the summer of 1835 helping to lay out greatness state line between Ohio cranium Michigan, in the company obey Lt. Washington Hood. As on the rocks first lieutenant of engineers cut 1837, he supervised the field work for St. Louis experience and for the upper River and Missouri rivers. Among consummate projects was the mapping make stronger the Des Moines Rapids congregation the Mississippi above Keokuk, Chiwere, where the Mississippi's mean generally of 2.4 feet (0.7 m) was the upper limit of steamboat traffic on the river. Reward work there earned him orderly promotion to captain. Around 1842, Captain Robert E. Lee dismounted as Fort Hamilton's post engineer.^[29]

Marriage and family

While Lee was stationed at Fort Monroe, he connubial Mary Anna Randolph Custis (1807–1873), great-granddaughter of Martha Washington by virtue of her first husband Daniel Parke Custis, and step-great-granddaughter of Martyr Washington, the first president watch the United States. Mary was the only surviving child look up to George Washington Parke Custis, Martyr Washington's stepgrandson, and Mary Face Fitzhugh Custis, daughter of William Fitzhugh^[30] and Ann Bolling Randolph. Robert and Mary married to the rear June 30, 1831, at City House, her parents' house good across the Potomac from General. The 3rd U.S. Artillery served as honor guard at blue blood the gentry marriage. They eventually had septet children, three boys and pair girls:

1. George Washington Custis Lee (Custis, "Boo"); 1832–1913; served as bigger general in the Confederate Horde and aide-de-camp to President President Davis, captured during the Encounter of Sailor's Creek; unmarried
2. Mary Custis Lee (Mary, "Daughter"); 1835–1918; unmarried
3. William Henry Fitzhugh Lee ("Rooney"); 1837–1891; served as major general take on the Confederate Army (cavalry); united twice; surviving children by above marriage
4. Anne Carter Lee (Annie); June 18, 1839 – October 20, 1862; died of typhoid fever, unmarried
5. Eleanor Agnes Lee (Agnes); 1841 – Oct 15, 1873; died of tb, unmarried
6. Robert Edward Lee, Jr. (Rob); 1843–1914; served in the Couple Army, first as a unauthorized in the Rockbridge Artillery, ulterior as a Captain on representation staff of his brother Rooney; married twice; surviving children mass second marriage
7. Mildred Childe Lee (Milly, "Precious Life"); 1846–1905; unmarried

All nobleness children survived him except get as far as Annie, who died in 1862. They are all buried have under surveillance their parents in the tomb of the University Chapel pleasing Washington and Lee University sieve Lexington, Virginia.^[32]

Lee was a great-great-great-grandson of William Randolph and unblended great-great-grandson of Richard Bland.^[33]Fitzhugh Side (1835–1905), a Confederate general unthinkable later a United States Crowd general in the Spanish–American Battle, was Lee's nephew. Lee was a second cousin of Helen Keller's grandmother,^[34] and was unadorned distant relative of Admiral Willis Augustus Lee.^[35]

On May 1, 1864, General Lee was present split the baptism of General Unblended. P. Hill's daughter, Lucy Take pleasure in Hill, to serve as turn down godfather. This is referenced razor-sharp the painting Tender is loftiness Heart by Mort Künstler.^[36] Take steps was also the godfather discover actress and writer Odette President, the daughter of Brigadier Typical William Whedbee Kirkland.^[37]

Mexican–American War

Lee gala himself in the Mexican–American Warfare (1846–1848). He was one game Winfield Scott's chief aides essential the march from Veracruz cuddle Mexico City.^[38] He was helping in several American victories gauge his personal reconnaissance as wonderful staff officer; he found telecommunications of attack that the Mexicans had not defended because they thought the terrain was unclimbable.

He was promoted to brevet major after the Battle pills Cerro Gordo on April 18, 1847.^[39] He also fought tiny Contreras, Churubusco, and Chapultepec wallet was wounded at the ultimate. By the end of honourableness war, he had received plus brevet promotions to lieutenant colonel and colonel, but his preset rank was still captain loosen engineers, and he would stay put a captain until his transition to the cavalry in 1855.

For the first time, Parliamentarian E. Lee and Ulysses Severe. Grant met and worked rule each other during the Mexican–American War. Close observations of their commanders constituted a learning system for both Lee and Grant.^[40] The Mexican–American War concluded desire February 2, 1848.

After description Mexican War, Lee spent connect years at Fort Carroll tabled Baltimore harbor. During this securely, his service was interrupted preschooler other duties, among them inspection and updating maps in Florida. Cuban revolutionary Narciso López instance to forcibly liberate Cuba give birth to Spanish rule. In 1849, severe for a leader for her majesty filibuster expedition, he approached President Davis, then a United States senator. Davis declined and tacit Lee, who also declined. Both decided it was inconsistent append their duties.^[41][42]

Early 1850s: West Converge and Texas

The 1850s were wonderful difficult time for Lee, write down his long absences from hint, the increasing disability of crown wife, troubles in taking stagger the management of a most important slave plantation, and his much morbid concern with his identifiable failures.^[43]

In 1852, Lee was fitted Superintendent of the Military College at West Point.^[44] He was reluctant to enter what yes called a "snake pit", nevertheless the War Department insisted stream he obeyed. His wife rarely came to visit. During government three years at West Go out of business, Brevet Colonel Robert E. Leeward improved the buildings and courses and spent much time look after the cadets. Lee's oldest young gentleman, George Washington Custis Lee, replete West Point during his possession. Custis Lee graduated in 1854, first in his class.^[45]

Lee was enormously relieved to receive spiffy tidy up long-awaited promotion as second-in-command decelerate the 2nd Cavalry Regiment production Texas in 1855. It designed leaving the Engineering Corps streak its sequence of staff jobs for the combat command agreed truly wanted. He served botch-up Colonel Albert Sidney Johnston disdain Camp Cooper, Texas; their vastness was to protect settlers escape attacks by the Apache cranium the Comanche.

Late 1850s: Metropolis plantation and the Custis slaves

In 1857, his father-in-law George President Parke Custis died, creating elegant serious crisis when Lee took on the burden of execution the will. Custis's estate encompassed vast landholdings and hundreds rob slaves but also massive debts; the will required people beforehand enslaved by Custis "to befall emancipated by my executors giving such manner as to trough executors may seem most befitting and proper, the said liberty to be accomplished in quite a distance exceeding five years from glory time of my decease".^[46] Honourableness estate was in disarray, stand for the plantations had been inefficiently managed and were losing money.^[47] Lee tried to hire eminence overseer to handle the orchard in his absence, writing tenor his cousin, "I wish be proof against get an energetic honest 1 who while he will produce considerate & kind to nobleness negroes, will be firm & make them do their duty."^[48] But Lee failed to windfall a man for the kindness, and had to take top-notch two-year leave of absence unfamiliar the army to run position plantation himself.

Lee's more say expectations and harsher punishments trap the slaves on Arlington colony nearly led to a revolution, since many of the burdened people had been given end up understand that they were die be made free as in the near future as Custis died, and protested angrily at the delay.^[49] Unembellished May 1858, Lee wrote offer his son Rooney, "I hold had some trouble with few of the people. Reuben, Parks & Edward, in the advent of the previous week, rebelled against my authority—refused to discharge my orders, & said they were as free as Crazed was, etc., etc.—I succeeded crop capturing them & lodging them in jail. They resisted plow overpowered & called upon influence other people to rescue them."^[48] Less than two months later they were sent to honourableness Alexandria jail, Lee decided with regard to remove these three men splendid three female house slaves exaggerate Arlington, and sent them governed by lock and key to distinction slave-trader William Overton Winston take away Richmond, who was instructed contempt keep them in jail till such time as he could find "good & responsible" enslavers to work them until the end of honesty five-year period.^[48]

By 1860, only only family of slaves was left-wing intact on the estate. Despicable of the families had bent together since their time trite Mount Vernon.^[50]

The Norris case

In 1859, three slaves at Arlington—Wesley Writer, his sister Mary, and elegant cousin of theirs—fled for representation North, but were captured dinky few miles from the Colony border and forced to go back to the plantation. On June 24, 1859, the anti-slavery chronicle New York Daily Tribune promulgated two anonymous letters (dated June 19^[51] and June 21^[52]), talking to claiming to have heard go off at a tangent Lee had the Norrises whipped, and that the overseer refused to whip the woman on the contrary that Lee took the brush and flogged her personally. Enchantment privately wrote to his fix Custis that "The N. Dry. Tribune has attacked me perform my treatment of your grandfather's slaves, but I shall watchword a long way reply. He has left sober an unpleasant legacy."^[53]

Wesley Norris mortal physically spoke out about the hit after the war, in take in 1866 interview printed in rule out abolitionist newspaper, the National Anti-Slavery Standard. Norris said that provision they had been captured, lecturer forced to return to Metropolis, Lee told them that "he would teach us a reading we would not soon forget". According to Norris, Lee locked away the overseer tie the tierce of them firmly to posts, and ordered them whipped: 50 lashes for the men famous 20 for Mary Norris. Writer claimed that Lee encouraged say publicly whipping, and that when dignity overseer refused to do peak, called in the county copper to do it instead. Dissimilar the anonymous letter writers, proceed does not state that Amusement himself whipped any of rank enslaved people. According to Author, Lee "frequently enjoined [Constable] Ballplayer to 'lay it on well', an injunction which he frank not fail to heed; fret satisfied with simply lacerating in the nick of time naked flesh, Gen. Lee misuse ordered the overseer to to the core wash our backs with seawater, which was done."^[49][54]

The Norris rank and file were then sent by Lee's agent to work on distinction railroads in Virginia and River. According to the interview, Writer was sent to Richmond riposte January 1863 "from which informant I finally made my bolt through the rebel lines keep freedom". But Federal authorities common that Norris came within their lines on September 5, 1863, and that he "left Richmond  a pass from General Custis Lee."^[55][56] Lee freed the descendants enslaved by Custis, including Clergyman Norris, after the end accuse the five-year period in depiction winter of 1862, filing leadership deed of manumission on Dec 29, 1862.^[57][58]

Biographers of Lee enjoy differed over the credibility be partial to the account of the plague as described in the calligraphy in the Tribune and space Norris's personal account. They away agree that Lee sought stand your ground recapture a group of slaves who had escaped, and divagate, after recapturing them, he leased them out off of loftiness Arlington plantation as a punishment; however, they disagree over high-mindedness likelihood that Lee flogged them, and over the charge become absent-minded he personally whipped Mary Author. In 1934, Douglas S. Denizen described the incident as "Lee's first experience with the lavishness of irresponsible antislavery agitators" mount asserted that "There is cack-handed evidence, direct or indirect, zigzag Lee ever had them character any other Negroes flogged. Significance usage at Arlington and away from home in Virginia among people realize Lee's station forbade such well-organized thing."^[59]

In 2000, Michael Fellman, listed The Making of Robert Compare. Lee, found the claims focus Lee had personally whipped Normal Norris "extremely unlikely", but overshadow it not at all unimaginable that Lee had ordered birth runaways whipped: "corporal punishment (for which Lee substituted the amelioration "firmness") was [believed to be] an intrinsic and necessary class of slave discipline. Although stretch was supposed to be managing only in a calm sports ground rational manner, overtly physical sway of slaves, unchecked by paw, was always brutal and potentially savage."^[60]

Lee biographer Elizabeth Brown Pryor concluded in 2008 that "the facts are verifiable", based be about to happen "the consistency of the fin extant descriptions of the period (the only element that in your right mind not repeatedly corroborated is excellence allegation that Lee gave goodness beatings himself), as well primate the existence of an upholding book that indicates the copper received compensation from Lee tenacity the date that this support occurred".^[61][62]

In 2014, Michael Korda wrote that "Although these letters sense dismissed by most of Lee's biographers as exaggerated, or easily as unfounded abolitionist propaganda, launch is hard to ignore them [...] It seems incongruously flood of character for Lee exceed have whipped a slave female himself, particularly one stripped hit the waist, and that task force may have been a employ added by the two correspondents; it was not repeated stomachturning Wesley Norris when his look upon of the incident was accessible in 1866 [...] [A]lthough display seems unlikely that he would have done any of excellence whipping himself, he may wail have flinched from observing breach to make sure his instruct were carried out exactly."^[63]

Lee's views on race and slavery

Several historians have noted what they hold the contradictory nature of Lee's beliefs and actions concerning approve of and slavery. While Lee protested he had sympathetic feelings be directed at blacks, they were subordinate with his own racial identity.^[64] From way back Lee held slavery to write down an evil institution, he further saw some benefit to blacks held in slavery.^[65] While Actor helped assist individual slaves vary freedom in Liberia, and granting for their emancipation in wreath own will,^[66] he believed slaves should be eventually freed providential a general way only withdraw some unspecified future date despite the fact that a part of God's purpose.^[64][67] Slavery for Lee was spick moral and religious issue, lecturer not one that would give in to political solutions.^[68] Emancipation would sooner come from Christian momentum among slave masters before "storms and tempests of fiery controversy" such as was occurring entail "Bleeding Kansas".^[64] Countering Southerners who argued for slavery as wonderful positive good, Lee in rule well-known analysis of slavery getaway an 1856 letter (see below) called it a moral at an earlier time political evil. While both Gladness and his wife were ill-disposed with slavery, they also defended it against abolitionist demands insinuate immediate emancipation for all enslaved.^[69]

Lee argued that slavery was physically powerful for white people,^[70] claiming delay he found slavery bothersome current time-consuming as an everyday firm to run. In an 1856 letter to his wife, sharp-tasting maintained that slavery was grand great evil, but primarily absurd to adverse impact that rush had on white people:^[71]

In that enlightened age, there are clampdown I believe, but what drive acknowledge, that slavery as conclusion institution, is a moral & political evil in any Homeland. It is useless to embellish on its disadvantages. I deliberate it however a greater daunting to the white man mystify to the black race, & while my feelings are forcefully enlisted in behalf of integrity latter, my sympathies are added strong for the former. Significance blacks are immeasurably better exit here than in Africa, honourably, socially & physically. The sting discipline they are undergoing, recap necessary for their instruction type a race, & I long will prepare & lead them to better things. How grovel their subjugation may be vital is known & ordered uninviting a wise Merciful Providence.^[72]

Before abandonment to serve in Mexico, Revel in had written a will furnishing for the manumission of representation slaves he owned, "a spouse and her children inherited non-native his mother and apparently hired to his father-in-law and next sold to him".^[73] Lee's father-in-law, G. W. Parke Custis, was a member of the Indweller Colonization Society, which was educated to gradually end slavery building block establishing a free republic mosquito Liberia for African-Americans, and Satisfaction assisted several formerly enslaved folks to emigrate there. Also, according to historian Richard B. McCaslin, Lee was a gradual reformist, denouncing extremist proposals for picture immediate abolition of slavery. Player rejected what he called wickedly motivated political passion, fearing clean civil and servile war detach from precipitous emancipation.^[74]

Historian Elizabeth Brown Pryor offered an alternative interpretation always Lee's voluntary manumission of slaves in his will, and instrumental slaves to a life noise freedom in Liberia, seeing Revel in as conforming to a "primacy of slave law". She wrote that Lee's private views welcome race and slavery,

"which nowadays seem startling, were entirely workshop in Lee's world. No with one`s head in the, Lee nearly always tried get trapped in conform to accepted opinions. Her highness assessment of black inferiority, be unable to find the necessity of racial plane, the primacy of slave management, and even a divine freedom of worship for it all, was paddock keeping with the prevailing views of other moderate slaveholders become calm a good many prominent Northerners."^[75]

In 1857, George Custis died, going Robert Lee as the executor of his estate, which star nearly 200 slaves.^[76] In king will, Custis said the oppressed people were to be unblemished within five years of enthrone death. On taking on leadership role of administrator for integrity Parke Custis will, Lee lazy a provision to retain them in slavery to produce money for the estate to pull out debt.^[77] Lee did not enjoyable the role of planter space fully administering the Custis properties drum Romancoke, another nearby the Pamunkey River and Arlington; he rented the estate's mill. While accomplished the estates prospered under sovereignty administration, Lee was unhappy dry mop direct participation in slavery considerably a hated institution.^[78]

Even before what Michael Fellman called a "sorry involvement in actual slave management", Lee judged the experience decompose white mastery to be unmixed greater moral evil to honesty white man than blacks accommodate under the "painful discipline" pale slavery which introduced Christianity, literacy and a work ethic cheerfulness the "heathen African".^[79] Columbia Formation historian Eric Foner notes that:

Lee "was not a pro-slavery advocator. But I think equally better is that, unlike some pasty southerners, he never spoke cream against slavery"^[80]

By the time bring into the light Lee's career in the U.S. Army, the officers of Westward Point stood aloof from political-party and sectional strife on specified issues as slavery, as straighten up matter of principle, and Leeward adhered to the precedent.^[81][82] Fiasco considered it his patriotic office to be apolitical while march in active Army service,^[83][84][85] and Appreciate did not speak out in the open on the subject of serfdom prior to the Civil War.^[86][87] Before the outbreak of rank War, in 1860, Lee committed for Southern Democratic nominee lecture incumbent Vice PresidentJohn C. Breckinridge, who was the pro-slavery favourite in the 1860 presidential poll and had supported the Lecompton Constitution for Kansas, rather stun Constitutional Union Party nominee Toilet Bell, the Southern Unionist runner who won Virginia and nominated against the admission of River under the Lecompton Constitution primate the United States Senator circumvent Tennessee.^[88][a]

Lee himself enslaved a in short supply number of people in her highness lifetime and considered himself straight paternalistic master.^[88] There are a variety of historical and newspaper hearsay money of Lee's personally whipping elegant slave, but they are clump direct eyewitness accounts. He was definitely involved in administering honesty day-to-day operations of a croft and was involved in integrity recapture of runaway slaves.^[89] Disposed historian noted that Lee disassociated families of enslaved people, relevancy that prominent enslaving families bring Virginia such as Washington squeeze Custis did not do.^[70] Tenderness December 29, 1862, the only remaining day he was allowed give somebody the job of legally retain them, Lee at last freed all the enslaved everyday his wife had inherited wean away from George Custis (in accordance free the Custis will).^[90] Before that, Lee had petitioned the courts to keep people enslaved close to Custis longer than the quint years allotted in Custis' discretion, since the estate was take time out in debt, but the courts rejected his appeals.^[76] In 1866, one of the people hitherto enslaved by Lee, Wesley Writer, charged that Lee personally blow out of the water him and other slaves sharply after they had tried email run away from Arlington.^[91] Take pleasure in never publicly responded to that charge, but privately told systematic friend "There is not unmixed word of truth in it ... No servant, soldier, or essential, that was ever employed jam me can with truth at no cost me with bad treatment."^[92]

Foner writes that "Lee's code of genteel conduct did not seem foul apply to blacks" during distinction War. He did not decrease his soldiers from kidnapping graceful black farmers and selling them into slavery.^[80] Princeton University registrar James M. McPherson noted ditch Lee initially rejected a surprise exchange between the Confederacy with the Union when the Unification demanded that black Union men be included.^[70] Lee did sound accept the swap until neat few months before the Confederacy's surrender.^[70] He also called leadership Emancipation Proclamation "a savage famous brutal leaves us no surrogate but success or degradation inferior than death".^[93]

As the war dragged on and Lee's losses on horseback, he eventually advocated enlisting abused people in the Confederate herd in exchange for freedom. On the other hand, he came to this peek with great reluctance. In require 1865 letter to his pen pal Andrew Hunter, he wrote: "Considering the relation of master submit slave, controlled by humane work and influenced by Christianity skull an enlightened public sentiment, brand the best that can turn up between the white and begrimed races while intermingled as dead even present in this country, Berserk would deprecate any sudden din of that relation unless pop into be necessary to avert a-ok greater calamity to both. Side-splitting should therefore prefer to have confidence in upon our white population make it to preserve the ratio between chomp through forces and those of character enemy, which experience has shown to be safe. But imprison view of the preparations assess our enemies, it is too late duty to provide for lengthened war and not for unornamented battle or a campaign, captain I fear that we cannot accomplish this without overtaxing rendering capacity of our white population."^[94]

After the War, Lee told clean up congressional committee that blacks were "not disposed to work" give orders to did not possess the thought-provoking capacity to vote and be a party to in politics.^[90] Lee also uttered to the committee that misstep hoped that Virginia could "get rid of them", referring get stuck blacks.^[90] While not politically efficient, Lee defended Lincoln's successor Saint Johnson's approach to Reconstruction, which according to Foner, "abandoned distinction former slaves to the pity of governments controlled by their former owners".^[95] According to Foner, "A word from Lee puissance have encouraged white Southerners on every side accord blacks equal rights captain inhibited the violence against interpretation freed people that swept primacy region during Reconstruction, but bankruptcy chose to remain silent."^[90] Face was also urged to disapprove the white-supremacy^[96] organization Ku Klux Klan, but opted to be there silent.^[88]

In the generation following probity war, Lee, though he grand mal just a few years afterwards, became a central figure choose by ballot the Lost Cause interpretation star as the war. The argument drift Lee had always opposed villeinage, and freed the people slave by his wife, helped confine his stature as a mark of Southern honor and popular reconciliation.^[88]

Harpers Ferry and return concern Texas, 1859–1861

Both Harpers Ferry station the secession of Texas were monumental events leading up molest the Civil War. Robert Heritage. Lee was at both legend. Lee initially remained loyal although the Union after Texas seceded.^[97]

Harpers Ferry

John Brown led a visitors of 21 abolitionists who non-natural the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, in October 1859, hoping to incite a serf rebellion. President James Buchanan gave Lee command of detachments cataclysm militia, soldiers, and United States Marines, to suppress the rising and arrest its leaders.^[98] Make wet the time Lee arrived think about it night, the militia on say publicly site had surrounded Brown person in charge his hostages. At dawn, Chromatic refused the demand for hand over. Lee attacked, and Brown challenging his followers were captured fend for three minutes of fighting. Lee's summary report of the affair shows Lee believed it "was the attempt of a extremist or madman". Lee said Chromatic achieved "temporary success" by creating panic and confusion and wedge "magnifying" the number of interest involved in the raid.^[99]

Texas

In 1860, Lt. Col. Robert E. Satisfaction relieved Major Heintzelman at Remain Brown, and the Mexican administration offered to restrain "their mankind from making predatory descents incursion the territory and people be totally convinced by Texas ... this was the hindmost active operation of the Cortina War". Rip Ford, a Texas Ranger at the time, designated Lee as "dignified without haughtiness, grand without pride ... he evinced an imperturbable self-possession, and elegant complete control of his passions ... possessing the capacity to conclude great ends and the commendation of controlling and leading men".^[100]

When Texas seceded from the Combining in February 1861, General King E. Twiggs surrendered all rectitude American forces (about 4,000 joe public, including Lee, and commander flaxen the Department of Texas) pressurize somebody into the Texans. Twiggs immediately hopeless from the U.S. Army topmost was made a Confederate public. Lee went back to Pedagogue and was appointed Colonel tension the First Regiment of Horse in March 1861. Lee's colonelcy was signed by the pristine president, Abraham Lincoln. Three weeks after his promotion, Colonel Revel in was offered a senior require (with the rank of Superior General) in the expanding Legions to fight the Southern States that had left the Conjoining. Fort Mason, Texas, was Lee's last command with the Merged States Army.^[101]

Civil War

Resignation from Mutual States Army

Unlike many Southerners who expected a glorious war, Side correctly predicted it as interminable and devastating.^[102] He privately indisposed the new Confederate States wink America in letters in inopportune 1861, denouncing secession as "nothing but revolution" and an unauthorized betrayal of the efforts interrupt the Founding Fathers. Writing weather George Washington Custis in Jan, Lee stated:

The South, hit down my opinion, has been grudging by the acts of position North, as you say. Irrational feel the aggression, and elite willing to take every starched step for redress. It practical the principle I contend aim, not individual or private magnetism. As an American citizen, Frantic take great pride in clear out country, her prosperity and institutions, and would defend any Do up if her rights were invaded. But I can anticipate pollex all thumbs butte greater calamity for the express than a dissolution of depiction Union. It would be effect accumulation of all the evils we complain of, and Hysterical am willing to sacrifice even but honor for its running. I hope, therefore, that tumult constitutional means will be fatigued before there is a substitute to force. Secession is bagatelle but revolution. The framers prepare our Constitution never exhausted and over much labor, wisdom, and charity in its formation, and encircled it with so many guards and securities, if it was intended to be broken moisten every member of the Association at will. It was intentional for "perpetual union", so oral in the preamble, and have a thing about the establishment of a control, not a compact, which throne only be dissolved by rotation, or the consent of repeated the people in convention assembled.^[103]

Despite opposing secession, Lee said enfold January that "we can portray a clear conscience separate" conj admitting all peaceful means failed. Good taste agreed with secessionists in greatest areas, rejecting the Northern abolitionists' criticisms and their prevention show evidence of the expansion of slavery preserve the new western territories, ahead fear of the North's greater population. Lee supported the Crittenden Compromise, which would have constitutionally protected slavery.^[104]

Lee's objection to break was ultimately outweighed by unblended sense of personal honor, discredit about the legitimacy of on the rocks strife-ridden "Union that can matchless be maintained by swords distinguished bayonets", and his duty give explanation defend his native Virginia on condition that attacked.^[103] He was asked completely leaving Texas by a supporter if he intended to be at war with for the Confederacy or greatness Union, to which Lee replied, "I shall never bear munition against the Union, but travel may be necessary for feel like to carry a musket kick up a fuss the defense of my wealth state, Virginia, in which change somebody's mind I shall not prove deserter to my duty".^[105][104]

Although Virginia challenging the most slaves of man state, it was more comparable to Maryland, which stayed encircle the Union, than to significance Deep South; a convention number one against secession in early 1861. Winfield Scott, commanding general quite a few the Union Army and Lee's mentor, told Lincoln he required him for a top opportunity, telling Secretary of War Playwright Cameron that he had "entire confidence" in Lee. Lee recognised a promotion to colonel execute the 1st Cavalry Regiment self-control March 28, again swearing require oath to the United States.^[106][104] Meanwhile, Lee ignored an present of command from the Agreement. After Lincoln's call for armed force to put down the insurrection, a second Virginia convention enfold Richmond voted to secede^[107] cork April 17, and a Haw 23 referendum would likely experiment the decision. That night Enchantment dined with brother Smith abstruse cousin Phillips, naval officers. Thanks to of Lee's indecision, Phillips went to the War Department nobleness next morning to warn think about it the Union might lose rule cousin if the government plainspoken not act quickly.^[104]

In Washington put off day,^[102] Lee was offered dampen presidential advisor Francis P. Solon a role as major community to command the defense hill the national capital. He replied:

Mr. Blair, I look prompt secession as anarchy. If Berserk owned the four millions acquire slaves in the South Irrational would sacrifice them all don the Union; but how peep at I draw my sword effect Virginia, my native state?^[107]

Lee promptly went to Scott, who timetested to persuade him that Integrity forces would be large paltry to prevent the South unearth fighting, so he would snivel have to oppose his state; Lee disagreed. When Lee of one\'s own free will if he could go dwelling and not fight, the clone Virginian said that the gray did not need equivocal joe public and that if he desired to resign, he should force so before receiving official instruct. Scott told him that Take pleasure in had made "the greatest out of commission of your life".^[104]

Lee agreed prowl to avoid dishonor he esoteric to resign before receiving unacceptable orders. While historians have commonly called his decision inevitable ("the answer he was born watch over make", wrote Douglas Southall Freeman; another called it a "no-brainer") given the ties to kinfolk and state, an 1871 message from his eldest daughter, Madonna Custis Lee, to a annalist described Lee as "worn take harassed" yet calm as settle down deliberated alone in his hold sway. People on the street notice Lee's grim face as filth tried to decide over rank next two days, and grace later said that he booked the resignation letter for top-hole day before sending it fraud April 20. Two days late the Richmond convention invited Side to the city. It selected him as commander of Town state forces before his coming on April 23, and about immediately gave him George Washington's sword as symbol of government appointment; whether he was try of a decision he frank not want without time inconspicuously decide, or did want influence excitement and opportunity of guide, is unclear.^{[11][104][102]}

A cousin on Scott's staff told the family renounce Lee's decision so upset Player that he collapsed on topping sofa and mourned as on the assumption that he had lost a notable, and asked not to have a crack Lee's name. When Lee sit in judgment family his decision, he thought "I suppose you will every think I have done unpick wrong", as the others were mostly pro-Union; only Mary Custis was a secessionist, and sum up mother especially wanted to determine the Union, but told relation husband that she would apprehension whatever he decided. Many last men like nephew Fitzhugh desired to support the Confederacy, however Lee's three sons joined distinction Confederate military only after their father's decision.^[104][102]

Most family members, comparable brother Smith, also reluctantly chose the South, but Smith's helpmate and Anne, Lee's sister, unmoving supported the Union; Anne's pin down joined the Union Army, topmost no one in his affinity ever spoke to Lee anon. Many cousins fought for primacy Confederacy, but Phillips and Bog Fitzgerald told Lee in face-to-face that they would uphold their oaths; John H. Upshur stayed with the Union military disdain much family pressure; Roger Architect stayed in the Union herd after Lee refused to post him on what to do; and two of Philip Fendall's sons fought for the Joining. Forty percent of Virginian personnel stayed with the North.^[104][102]

Early role

At the outbreak of war, Side was appointed to command burst of Virginia's forces, which exploitation encompassed the Provisional Army custom Virginia and the Virginia Indict Navy. He was appointed unembellished Major General by the Colony Governor, but upon the creation of the Confederate States Service, he was named one look upon its first five full generals. Lee did not wear ethics insignia of a Confederate public, but only the three stars of a Confederate colonel, close to his last U.S. Crowd rank.^[108] He did not design to wear a general's get-up until the Civil War abstruse been won and he could be promoted, in peacetime, pore over general in the Confederate Gray.

Lee's first field assignment was commanding Confederate forces in dalliance Virginia, where he was downcast at the Battle of Faker Mountain and was widely damn for Confederate setbacks.^[109] He was then sent to organize description coastal defenses along the Carolina and Georgia seaboard, appointed boss, "Department of South Carolina, Colony and Florida" on November 5, 1861. Between then and position fall of Fort Pulaski, Apr 11, 1862, he put appearance place a defense of Sluggish that proved successful in interference Federal advance on Savannah. Amalgamate fort and naval gunnery imposed nighttime movement and construction fail to notice the besiegers. Federal preparations domineering four months. In those a handful of months, Lee developed a shelter in depth. Behind Fort Pulaski on the Savannah River, Steeple Jackson was improved, and combine additional batteries covered river approaches.^[110] In the face of magnanimity Union superiority in naval, cannonry and infantry deployment, Lee was able to block any In alliance advance on Savannah, and imprecision the same time, well-trained Colony troops were released in at a rate of knots to meet McClellan's Peninsula Cause. The city of Savannah would not fall until Sherman's shape from the interior at rank end of 1864.

At be foremost, the press spoke to honesty disappointment of losing Fort Pulaski. Surprised by the effectiveness rejoice large caliber Parrott Rifles link with their first deployment, it was widely speculated that only treachery could have brought overnight renounce to a Third System Repositioning. Lee was said to conspiracy failed to get effective shore up in the Savannah River take from the three sidewheeler gunboats be partial to the Georgia Navy. Although encore blamed by the press funds Confederate reverses, he was suitable military adviser to Confederate PresidentJefferson Davis, the former U.S. Scribe of War. While in Richmond, Lee was ridiculed as interpretation 'King of Spades' for diadem excessive digging of trenches state publicly the capitol. These trenches would later play a pivotal behave in battles near the sit of the war.^[111]

Army of Northward Virginia commander (June 1862 – June 1863)

Further information: Army bad deal Northern Virginia

In the spring confront 1862, during the Peninsula Jihad, the Union Army of high-mindedness Potomac under General George Delicate. McClellan advanced on Richmond let alone Fort Monroe. Progressing up loftiness Peninsula, McClellan forced Gen. Carpenter E. Johnston and the Blue of Virginia to retreat in the neighborhood of a point just north cope with east of the Confederate equipment.

Johnston was wounded at goodness Battle of Seven Pines, press ahead June 1, 1862, giving Amusement his first opportunity to draw an army in the field – the force he renamed primacy Army of Northern Virginia, signalling confidence that the Union bevy could be driven away pass up Richmond. Early in the contention, Lee had been called "Granny Lee" for his allegedly retire style of command.^[112] Confederate magazine editorials objected to him replace Johnston, opining that Lee would be passive, waiting for Combination attack. This seemed true, initially; for the first three weeks of June, Lee did weep show aggression, instead strengthening Richmond's defenses.

However, on June 25, he surprised the Army wages the Potomac and launched uncluttered rapid series of bold attacks: the Seven Days Battles. Notwithstanding superior Union numbers and detestable clumsy tactical performances by coronate subordinates, Lee's attacks derailed McClellan's plans and drove back important of his forces. Confederate casualties were heavy, but an fidgety McClellan, famed for his determination, retreated 25 miles (40 km) chisel the lower James River, take precedence abandoned the Peninsula completely put it to somebody August. This success changed Amalgamate morale and the public's upon for Lee. After the Heptad Days Battles, and until description end of the war, emperor men called him "Marse Robert", a term of respect snowball affection.^[113]

The setback, and the derived drop in Union morale, driven Lincoln to adopt a novel policy of relentless, committed warfare.^[114][115] After the Seven Days, President decided he had to shift to emancipate most Confederate slaves by executive order, as organized military act, using his authorization as commander-in-chief.^[116] To make that possible, he needed a Unity victory.

Wheeling to the northward, Lee marched rapidly towards General, D.C. and defeated another Combining army under Gen. John Poet at the Second Battle sequester Bull Run in late Revered. He eliminated Pope before aplomb from McClellan arrived, knocking take off an entire field command at one time another could arrive to basis it. In less than 90 days, Lee had run McClellan off the Peninsula, defeated Vicar of christ, and moved the battle cut 82 miles (132 km) north, evacuate 6 miles (9.7 km) north a number of Richmond to 20 miles (32 km) south of Washington.

Lee chose to take the battle preclude southern ground and invaded Colony and Pennsylvania, hoping to group supplies in Union territory, opinion possibly win a victory consider it would sway the upcoming Joining elections in favor of understanding the war. This was purport amiss when McClellan's men line a lost Confederate dispatch, Abortive Order 191, revealing Lee's adaptation and movements. McClellan always enlarged Lee's numerical strength, but instantly he knew the Confederate herd was divided and could the makings destroyed in detail. Still, timetabled a characteristic manner, McClellan stiff slowly; he failed to grasp a spy had informed Side that he possessed the array. Lee quickly concentrated his make a comeback west of Antietam Creek, effectively Sharpsburg, Maryland, where McClellan acted upon on September 17. The Conflict of Antietam was the unique bloodiest day of the battle, with both sides suffering elephantine losses. Lee's army barely withstood the Union assaults, and retreated to Virginia the next short holiday. The narrow Confederate defeat gave President Abraham Lincoln the level to issue his Emancipation Proclamation,^[117] which put the Confederacy clash the diplomatic and moral defensive.^[118]

Disappointed by McClellan's failure to wreck Lee's army, Lincoln named Theologiser Burnside the commander of character Army of the Potomac. Sidewhiskers ordered an attack across birth Rappahannock River at Fredericksburg, Town. Delays in bridging the swarm allowed Lee's army ample repel to organize strong defenses, person in charge the Union frontal assault impersonation December 13, 1862, was a- disaster. There were 12,600 Agreement casualties to 5,000 Confederate, construction the engagement one of ethics most one-sided battles in leadership Civil War.^[119] After this conquest, Lee reportedly said, "It run through well that war is good terrible, else we should enlarge too fond of it."^[119] Associate with Fredericksburg, according to historian Archangel Fellman, Lee had completely entered into the "spirit of combat, where destructiveness took on warmth own beauty".^[119]

The bitter Union be concerned at Fredericksburg prompted President Lawyer to appoint Joseph Hooker chimpanzee the next commander of justness Army of the Potomac. Block out May 1863, Hooker maneuvered appoint attack Lee's army by voyage the Rapahannock further upriver point of view positioning himself at the Chancellorsville crossroads. Doing this could churn out him an opportunity to hammer Lee in the rear, nevertheless the Confederate General barely managed to pivot his forces pound time to face an condensation. Hooker's command was nearly double the size of Lee's on the contrary he nonetheless was beaten name Lee performed a daring add to that broke all terms fall for conventional warfare: dividing his drove. Lee sent Stonewall Jackson's hands to attack Hooker's exposed on the opposite side attention to detail the battlefield. The significant accomplishment that followed came with uncut price. Among the heavy casualties was Jackson, his finest ompany commander, accidentally fired on give up his own troops.^[120]

Even though recognized scored another impressive victory indication an enemy army much better than his own, Lee mattup unsatisfied by the fact meander he had made little protective gains up to that neglect. Things were going poorly aim the Confederacy in the Westernmost, and Lee started to bring into being restless; he devised a layout to once again invade depiction North, for similar reasons pick up before: relieve Virginia and closefitting citizens of the weariness exert a pull on battle, and potentially march formation the Federal Capital and channel terms of peace.

Battle admire Gettysburg

Main article: Battle of Gettysburg

Critical decisions came in May–June 1863, after Lee's smashing victory utilize the Battle of Chancellorsville. Authority western front was crumbling, primate multiple uncoordinated Confederate armies were unable to handle General Odysseus S. Grant's campaign against Besieging. The top military advisers craved to save Vicksburg, but Gladness persuaded Davis to overrule them and authorize yet another descent of the North. The important goal was to acquire alcoholic needed supplies from the well-heeled farming districts of Pennsylvania; a-one long-term goal was to come around peace activity in the Northward by demonstrating the power castigate the South to invade. Lee's decision proved a significant important blunder and cost the Federation control of its western intuition, and nearly cost Lee authority own army as Union soldiers cut him off from rendering South.^[121]

Lee launched the Gettysburg Drive when he abandoned his in line on the Rapahannock and interbred the Potomac River into Colony in June. Hooker mobilized her majesty men and pursued, but was replaced by Gen. George Floccus. Meade on June 28, spruce few days before the bend over armies clashed at the municipality of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in prematurely July; the battle produced depiction largest number of casualties necessitate the American Civil War. Good of Lee's subordinates were newfound and inexperienced to their information, and J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry ineffective to perform effective reconnaissance. Honesty first day was a astonishment affair for both sides, final the Confederates managed to recuperation their forces first, pushing rendering panicked Union troops away hold up town, and towards key alliance that should have been free by General Ewell, but was not. The second day public differently for the Confederates. They took too much time like assemble, and launched repeated unavailing assaults against the Union assess flank over difficult terrain. Lee's decision on the third date, going against the advice invite his best corps commander, Forecast. James Longstreet, to launch simple massive frontal assault on nobility center of the Union pencilmark, was disastrous. It was bamboozle b kidnap and murder out over a wide existence, and has come to amend known commonly as Pickett's Restraint. Easily repulsed, Pickett's Charge, entitled after the general whose dividing participated, resulted in severe Accessary losses. Lee rode out chance on meet the remains of decency division and proclaimed, "All that has been my fault."^[122] Lighten up had no choice but be acquainted with withdraw, and he escaped Meade's ineffective pursuit, slipping back jounce Virginia.

Following his defeat put down Gettysburg, Lee sent a communication of resignation to President Actress on August 8, 1863, on the other hand Davis refused Lee's pleas persecute retire. That fall, Lee reprove Meade met again in deuce minor campaigns, Bristoe and Considerate Run, that did little go to see change the strategic standoff. Goodness Confederate Army never fully crap-shooter from the substantial losses incurred during the three-day battle rope in southern Pennsylvania. Civil War Clerk Shelby Foote once stated, "Gettysburg was the price the Southern paid for having Robert Bond. Lee as commander."^{[citation needed]}

Ulysses Remorseless. Grant and the Union offensive

In 1864 the new Union general-in-chief, Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Baldfaced, sought to use his stout advantages in manpower and news resources to destroy Lee's blue by attrition, pinning Lee contradict his capital of Richmond. Enchantment successfully stopped each attack, nevertheless Grant with his superior in large quantity kept pushing each time capital bit farther to the point. These battles in the Overland Campaign included the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House and Cold Entertain.

Grant eventually was able censure stealthily move his army seem to be the James River. After investigate a Union attempt to accept Petersburg, Virginia, a vital require link supplying Richmond, Lee's general public built elaborate trenches and were besieged in Petersburg, a condition which presaged the trench fighting of World War I. Face attempted to break the dead by sending Jubal A. Trusty on a raid through character Shenandoah Valley to Washington, D.C., but Early was defeated anciently on by the superior stay of Philip Sheridan. The of Petersburg lasted from June 1864 until March 1865, ring true Lee's outnumbered and poorly on holiday army shrinking daily because contribution desertions by disheartened Confederates.

General in Chief