As practical issues, Lee did not oppose either slavery or secession. Although he felt slavery in the abstract was a bad thing, he blamed the national conflict on abolitionists, and accepted the pro-slavery policies of the Confederacy. He chose to fight to defend his homeland.

When did Lee join the Confederate Army?

Robert Edward Lee (January 19, 1807 – October 12, 1870) was a Confederate general during the American Civil War, towards the end of which he was appointed the overall commander of the Confederate States Army.



Robert E. Lee.

General Robert E. Lee
Years of service 1829–1861 (U.S.) 1861–1865 (C.S.)
Rank Colonel (U.S.) General (C.S.)

Did Robert E Lee fight for the Confederates?

Robert E. Lee is well known as a Confederate military general, but perhaps his greatest contribution to the United States was his effort to reunite the country following the American Civil War.

Why did Robert E Lee decide to leave the union?





Because of his reputation as one of the finest officers in the United States Army, Abraham Lincoln offered Lee the command of the Federal forces in April 1861. Lee declined and tendered his resignation from the army when the state of Virginia seceded on April 17, arguing that he could not fight against his own people.

How did Robert E Lee help the South?

Robert E. Lee commanded the Army of Northern Virginia, the most successful of the Southern armies during the American Civil War, and ultimately commanded all the Confederate armies. As the military leader of the defeated Confederacy, Lee became a symbol of the American South.

Did Robert E. Lee regret the Civil War?

Despite opposing secession, Lee did not express regret for his decision to follow his native state of Virginia and to turn down command of the main Union army. In fact, he altered his views on the constitutional issues involved after the war.

What was the Confederate fighting for?



The Confederacy went to war against the United States to protect slavery and instead brought about its total and immediate abolition. By April 1865, the C.S.A. was in ruins, its armies destroyed. The cost in human life was devastating: at least 620,000 dead—360,000 from the U.S. and 258,000 from the C.S.A.

Did Robert E. Lee betray union?

Certainly, Lee and Davis (alongside many others) were both technically traitors to the Union they had sworn to defend—and they both defended Southerners’ ‘right’ to enslave millions of their fellow human beings.



Did Lee lose the Civil War?

The war dragged on for two more years until a victory for Lee became impossible. With a dwindling army, Lee surrendered to Grant on April 9, 1865, at Appomattox Court House in Virginia, effectively ending the Civil War.

Was Robert E. Lee the best Confederate general?

Robert E Lee was the South’s greatest general and the commander of the Army of Northern Virginia, the Confederacy’s most successful army during the American Civil War.

Did Robert E. Lee want to fight for the South?

As practical issues, Lee did not oppose either slavery or secession. Although he felt slavery in the abstract was a bad thing, he blamed the national conflict on abolitionists, and accepted the pro-slavery policies of the Confederacy. He chose to fight to defend his homeland.

Was Robert E. Lee a good leader?



Lee was a great leader and tactical leader who deserves to be remembered for his moral strengths. He is still the only person to graduate from West Point Military Academy with not a single demerit. His military tactics were studied and used during World War II even.

What happened to Robert E. Lee after he surrendered?

After Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox courthouse on April 9, 1865, the general was pardoned by President Lincoln. He was unable to return to his estate in Arlington, Virginia, however, because it now sat in the middle of a national cemetery, overlooking the graves of thousands of union soldiers.

Who did General Lee surrender to 1865?

Gen. Ulysses S. Grant

While it was the most significant surrender to take place during the Civil War, Gen. Robert E. Lee, the Confederacy’s most respected commander, surrendered only his Army of Northern Virginia to Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant.

What were Robert E. Lee’s last words?



The morning of October 12, he developed a “feeble, rapid pulse” and “shallow breathing.” Lee’s reported last words were, “Tell Hill he must come up!” “Strike the tent!” Yet, his daughter at the bedside recalled only “struggling” with “long, hard breathes,” and “in a moment he was dead.” CONCLUSIONS: Lee suffered

Who did Lee fight for in the Civil War?

Robert E. Lee was a Confederate general who led the South’s attempt at secession during the Civil War. He challenged Union forces during the war’s bloodiest battles, including Antietam and Gettysburg, before surrendering to Union General Ulysses S.

Why did Lee wear a colonel’s uniform?

It is believed he wore that uniform to his meeting with General Grant at which he surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia.

Why did General Lee chose the South?

Although he felt slavery in the abstract was a bad thing, he blamed the national conflict on abolitionists, and accepted the pro-slavery policies of the Confederacy. He chose to fight to defend his homeland.

Why did Confederates wear GREY?

Gray was chosen for Confederate uniforms because gray dye could be made relatively cheaply and it was the standard uniform color of the various State Militias.