On this day in 1807 Robert Edward Lee was born.
Mostly known for his role in the American Civil War Robert Lee was a life time military man. His father was a decorated veteran of the Revolutionary war and one time Governor of Virginia. Lee attended West Point and was high honors upon graduation.
When his home state of Virginia separated from the union Lee resigned from the US Army:
"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..."
It was a long war and no side really won much of anything when it was all done and said.
Heavy losses on both sides, hero's made and families lost. By April of 1865 Lee now Major General of all Southern Forces was forced to surrender at Appomattox, Virginia to Union General Ulysses S. Grant. Lee and Grant both holding the highest rank of their respected armies knew slightly of each other having fought in the Mexican War together. Grant arrived in his muddy field uniform while Lee was turned out in full dress complete with sash and sword.
After the war, Lee returned south to Richmond as a paroled prisoner of war. He devoted the rest of his life to setting an example for all southerners. He refused a number of offers but instead he assumed presidency of Washington College today known as Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. Lee died on October 12, 1870 of heart disease.
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