Robert E. Lee

Robert E. Lee - Confederate General in the American Civil War, Family and Facts

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Robert E. Lee's Personal Details

Robert E

InformationDetail
BirthdayJanuary 19, 1807
Died onOctober 12, 1870
NationalityAmerican
FamousMilitary Leaders, Miscellaneous, Soldiers, ISFJ, Confederate General in the American Civil War
SpousesMary Anna Custis Lee
SiblingsGeorge Washington Custis Lee, William Henry Fitzhugh Lee
ChildrensRobert E. Lee
Birth PlaceStratford Hall
ReligionAnglican/Episcopalian
GenderMale
FatherHenry Lee III
MotherAnne Hill Carter
Sun SignCapricorn
Born inStratford Hall
Famous asConfederate General in the American Civil War
Died at Age63

Robert E. Lee's photo

Who is Robert E. Lee?

Robert E. Lee was the famous confederate general, commander of the Northern Virginian army, during the American Civil war. His brilliance in war waging strategies, his vigor and achievements during the Civil War, makes him an iconic figure. He belonged to a family of ruling class in Virginia and joined the American army at West Point, Virginia, very early in age. He passed with a second position in the engineering studies headed by the Army Corps of Engineers. His active participation in the American civil war, his growth in the Northern Virginian army, his continuous growth and promotions in his career, forms a remarkable story. His contribution in the American history is undeniable and it is celebrated in many ways. His birthday is celebrated in different parts of America as a public holiday, predominantly the parts he influenced with his army forces. Many memorials and statues have been erected in his remembrance, such as: Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial, University of Texas has his statue at the main mall, Liberty issue postage stamp has also honored Lee. His contribution as President of The Washington College, Virginia has been of utmost prominence.

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Childhood & Early Life

Robert Edward Lee was born on 19 January 1807 in Westmoreland County, Virginia, to Major General Henry Lee III, also known as the ‘Light Horse Henry’, and his second wife, Anne Hill Carter. He belonged to the ruling class of Virginia, with several members of his family at powerful positions in the Virginian government. His father was the Governor of Virginia and one of his great grand parents was a prominent Virginian colonist.

Robert Lee attended school at Eastern View, Fauquier County and shifted to Alexandria Academy where he developed a liking for mathematics. In 1824, Robert Lee was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point, on the recommendation of his relative, William Henry Fitzhugh.

Career

In 1825, Robert Lee started his study in American army at the West Point. The focus of the studies was on engineering, headed by the Army Corps of Engineers. He graduated with second position in his class, without incurring even a single demerit during his course of study.

In 1829, Robert Lee was ordered to build a fort on the marshy island of Cockspur, Georgia. The mission was unsuccessful and he was transferred to Fort Monroe, Virginia Peninsula.

In 1834, Robert Lee was transferred to Washington to assist General Gratiot. But, in 1835, he was transferred again to survey the southern border of Michigan, in order to be Andrew Alcott’s assistant.

In 1837, he supervised the engineering work at St. Louis harbor. He was promoted to the position of a captain because of his devotion and brilliance in work, over there. In 1842, Captain Robert Edward Lee arrived as Fort Hamilton’s post engineer.

From 1846 to 1848, he worked as a chief aid to Winfield Scott in the Mexican-American War. Due to his exceptional performance in the war, he was promoted as brevet major and with the course of time, received additional brevet positions, but his permanent rank was still the Captain of Engineers.

From 1848 to 1851, Robert Lee served at Fort Carroll in Baltimore harbor. In 1852, he was appointed as a Superintendent of the Military Academy, West Point. During his course at West Point, he spent time training the cadets and improving the curriculum of the training courses for the army.

In 1855, he was promoted as the second-in-command of the Second Cavalry regiment, Texas. It meant heading the combat command.

In 1859, President James Buchanan ordered Robert Lee to command the forces in suppressing the slave rebellion in federal arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia. The mission was a success under his supervision.

In March 1861, he was appointed as Colonel of the First Regiment of Cavalry, by President Abraham Lincoln. In a short span of time from there, he was promoted as Major General and was given the responsibility to expand the army to fight the Southern states. He commanded for the last time with the United States Army at Fort Mason, Texas.

In April 1861, Robert Lee resigned from the Army and commanded the Virginia state forces. He was defeated in his first field assignment at the Battle of Cheat Mountain. He was then demoted and sent to organize the Carolina and Georgia seaboards.

In 1862, he again took the command of the Army of Northern Virginia. A lot of press at the time criticized his passive style of command and called his army ‘Granny Lee’. But the series of successes achieved by Robert Lee and his army changed the popular public opinion. After the ‘Seven Days Battles’, his men started addressing to him as ‘Marse Robert’, out of respect and honor.

In 1863, Robert Lee fought the three-day Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania. This battle caused the largest number of causalities in the history of American Civil War. His men lost the battle to the union forces under George G. Meade. As a consequence, he sent a letter of resignation to President Davis, but Davis refused his resignation.

In 1865, Union general-in-chief, Lt. General Ulysses S. Grant started a battle to destroy Robert Lee’s army. Robert Lee, cornered in the capital city of Richmond, resisted the attacks in full vigor and a number of battles were fought in the process: Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House and Cold Harbor. During the same time, he was promoted to general-in-chief of the Confederate forces. Lee’s inadequate army couldn’t fight these battles much longer and he finally surrendered.

In 1865, Robert Lee was appointed as the president of Washington College, Lexington, Virginia and he continued in this position until his death. He worked towards changing the image and scope of the college and added subjects in commerce, journalism and law.

Personal Life & Legacy

In 1831, Robert Lee got married to Mary Anna Randolph Custis, while he was stationed at Fort Monroe. The couple had seven children together, three boys and four girls.

He died on 12 October 1870, at the age of 63, after suffering a stroke two weeks earlier.

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Robert E. Lee biography timelines

  • // 19th Jan 1807
    Robert Edward Lee was born on 19 January 1807 in Westmoreland County, Virginia, to Major General Henry Lee III, also known as the ‘Light Horse Henry’, and his second wife, Anne Hill Carter. He belonged to the ruling class of Virginia, with several members of his family at powerful positions in the Virginian government. His father was the Governor of Virginia and one of his great grand parents was a prominent Virginian colonist.
  • // 1825
    In 1825, Robert Lee started his study in American army at the West Point. The focus of the studies was on engineering, headed by the Army Corps of Engineers. He graduated with second position in his class, without incurring even a single demerit during his course of study.
  • // 1829
    In 1829, Robert Lee was ordered to build a fort on the marshy island of Cockspur, Georgia. The mission was unsuccessful and he was transferred to Fort Monroe, Virginia Peninsula.
  • // 1831
    In 1831, Robert Lee got married to Mary Anna Randolph Custis, while he was stationed at Fort Monroe. The couple had seven children together, three boys and four girls.
  • // 1834 To 1835
    In 1834, Robert Lee was transferred to Washington to assist General Gratiot. But, in 1835, he was transferred again to survey the southern border of Michigan, in order to be Andrew Alcott’s assistant.
  • // 1837
    In 1837, he supervised the engineering work at St. Louis harbor. He was promoted to the position of a captain because of his devotion and brilliance in work, over there. In 1842, Captain Robert Edward Lee arrived as Fort Hamilton’s post engineer.
  • // 1846 To 1848
    From 1846 to 1848, he worked as a chief aid to Winfield Scott in the Mexican-American War. Due to his exceptional performance in the war, he was promoted as brevet major and with the course of time, received additional brevet positions, but his permanent rank was still the Captain of Engineers.
  • // 1848 To 1851
    From 1848 to 1851, Robert Lee served at Fort Carroll in Baltimore harbor. In 1852, he was appointed as a Superintendent of the Military Academy, West Point. During his course at West Point, he spent time training the cadets and improving the curriculum of the training courses for the army.
  • // 1855
    In 1855, he was promoted as the second-in-command of the Second Cavalry regiment, Texas. It meant heading the combat command.
  • // 1859
    In 1859, President James Buchanan ordered Robert Lee to command the forces in suppressing the slave rebellion in federal arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia. The mission was a success under his supervision.
  • // 1861
    In March 1861, he was appointed as Colonel of the First Regiment of Cavalry, by President Abraham Lincoln. In a short span of time from there, he was promoted as Major General and was given the responsibility to expand the army to fight the Southern states. He commanded for the last time with the United States Army at Fort Mason, Texas.
  • // 1861
    In April 1861, Robert Lee resigned from the Army and commanded the Virginia state forces. He was defeated in his first field assignment at the Battle of Cheat Mountain. He was then demoted and sent to organize the Carolina and Georgia seaboards.
  • // 1862
    In 1862, he again took the command of the Army of Northern Virginia. A lot of press at the time criticized his passive style of command and called his army ‘Granny Lee’. But the series of successes achieved by Robert Lee and his army changed the popular public opinion. After the ‘Seven Days Battles’, his men started addressing to him as ‘Marse Robert’, out of respect and honor.
  • // 1863
    In 1863, Robert Lee fought the three-day Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania. This battle caused the largest number of causalities in the history of American Civil War. His men lost the battle to the union forces under George G. Meade. As a consequence, he sent a letter of resignation to President Davis, but Davis refused his resignation.
  • // 1865
    In 1865, Union general-in-chief, Lt. General Ulysses S. Grant started a battle to destroy Robert Lee’s army. Robert Lee, cornered in the capital city of Richmond, resisted the attacks in full vigor and a number of battles were fought in the process: Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House and Cold Harbor. During the same time, he was promoted to general-in-chief of the Confederate forces. Lee’s inadequate army couldn’t fight these battles much longer and he finally surrendered.
  • // 1865
    In 1865, Robert Lee was appointed as the president of Washington College, Lexington, Virginia and he continued in this position until his death. He worked towards changing the image and scope of the college and added subjects in commerce, journalism and law.
  • // 12th Oct 1870
    He died on 12 October 1870, at the age of 63, after suffering a stroke two weeks earlier.

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Robert E. Lee's FAQ

  • What is Robert E. Lee birthday?

    Robert E. Lee was born at 1807-01-19

  • When was Robert E. Lee died?

    Robert E. Lee was died at 1870-10-12

  • Where was Robert E. Lee died?

    Robert E. Lee was died in Lexington city

  • Which age was Robert E. Lee died?

    Robert E. Lee was died at age 63

  • Where is Robert E. Lee's birth place?

    Robert E. Lee was born in Stratford Hall

  • What is Robert E. Lee nationalities?

    Robert E. Lee's nationalities is American

  • Who is Robert E. Lee spouses?

    Robert E. Lee's spouses is Mary Anna Custis Lee

  • Who is Robert E. Lee siblings?

    Robert E. Lee's siblings is George Washington Custis Lee, William Henry Fitzhugh Lee

  • Who is Robert E. Lee childrens?

    Robert E. Lee's childrens is Robert E. Lee

  • What is Robert E. Lee's religion?

    Robert E. Lee's religion is Anglican/Episcopalian

  • Who is Robert E. Lee's father?

    Robert E. Lee's father is Henry Lee III

  • Who is Robert E. Lee's mother?

    Robert E. Lee's mother is Anne Hill Carter

  • What is Robert E. Lee's sun sign?

    Robert E. Lee is Capricorn

  • How famous is Robert E. Lee?

    Robert E. Lee is famouse as Confederate General in the American Civil War