Title: 18071870 "With all my devotion to the Union and the feeling of loyalty and duty of an American citiz
1Robert E Lee
Cadet Esparza
2Who was Robert E. Lee?
- US military leader, Confederate commander in the
American Civil War, and military strategist. -
- In 1861 he joined the army of the Confederacy of
Southern states in 1862 he received the command
of the Army of Northern Virginia and won the
Seven Days' Battle defending Richmond, Virginia,
the Confederate capital, against General
McClellan's Union forces. - In 1863 Lee won victories at Fredericksburg and
Chancellors Ville, both in Virginia, and in 1864
at Cold Harbor, Virginia, but was besieged in
Petersburg, Virginia, June 1864-April 1865. - He surrendered to General Grant on April 9, 1865,
at Appomattox Courthouse.
3Lee in a letter to his sister, April 20, 1861
(1807-1870)
"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 relatives, my
children, my home. I have therefore resigned my
commission in the Army, and save in defense of my
native State, with the sincere hope that my poor
services may never be needed, I hope I may never
be called on to draw my sword....."
4General Robert E. Lee was referred to simply as
"The General". Robert E. Lee demonstrated
courage, integrity, bravery and honesty
5 Robert E. Lee on Traveler "Men, we have fought
through the war together. I have done my best for
you my heart is too full to say more." Robert
E. Lee as he rode down the lines on Traveler one
final time after the Surrender at Appomattox
Court House
6Lee had freed his own slaves long before the war
began, and he was opposed to secession, but his
devotion to his native Virginia led him to join
the Confederacy. At the outbreak of war he
became military adviser to Jefferson Davis,
president of the Confederacy, and in 1862
commander of the Army of Northern Virginia. Lee
actually had been offered command of the Union
armies, but he resigned his commission to return
to Virginia. During 1862-63 he made several
raids into Northern territory but after his
defeat at Gettysburg was compelled to take the
defensive he surrendered 1865 at Appomattox.
7Tomb of Robert E. Lee "My chief concern is to try
to be an humble, earnest Christian", Robert E.Lee
on Faith The End By Cadet Esparza