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Lee is Born
Robert E. Lee was born in Startford, Virginia to war hero Henry "Light-Horse Harry" Lee. -
United States MIlitary Academy at West Point
Robert E. Lee enrolled into the US Military Academy at West Point in 1825. There, he learned everything to know about military life. -
Graduation
After four years, Lee graduated from West Point; earning not a single demeret. He finished second in his class and earned the nickname "Marble Model" from his friends. -
Marriage
Lee married Mary Anna Randolph Custis; great-granddaughter of Martha Washington. Lee took these connections with the former president seriously, and he sought to emulate them. Later, during the Civil War, the Confederate Army would compare the two, and the Confederate Army looked to Lee as the colonists did to George Washington. -
Mexican American War
Lee served on the staff of Winfield Scott during the Mexican American War. Lee served a huge role in winning a major battle resulting in winning the war. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
The confederates fired on Fort Sumter marking the start of the Civil War. -
Lincoln's Proposal
Lee was offered comand of the Union Army by Abraham Lincoln. Lee declined; not because he was against the slave rebellion, but because he could not fight against his home state of Virginia. -
Full General
Lee was made a Full General, ranking third in seniority among the generals of the Confederate Army. -
Seven Days' Battle
Lee had his first chance to prove himself a worthy comander in the Seven Days' Battle. His 85,000 men had to go up against George B. McClellan. Lee lost 20,000 men opposed to McClellan's 16,000, but the Confederate forces drove the Union Army away from Richmond. -
Battle of Antietam
In the Battle of Antietam, Lee's 35,000 men, once again, had to face McClellan; however, McClellan now had the advantage of 80,000 men. After crossing the Potomac River, the two armies fought in the bloodiest day in United States history, losing a total of 22,500 men. -
The Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg showed some people that Lee's agressiveness sometimes overcame the good of his judgment. Lee decided to send a large brigade to take the Union's strongpoints. The honorable charge failed and Lee lost the battle. This battle set the tone for the rest of the war. -
Overland Campaign
Lee marched his 65,000 men against Ulysess S. Grant and his 120,000 men. Grant fooled Lee completely and shut down Lee and his army. the camaign ended on June 18, and Lee ultimately lost the battle as well as the war. -
Surrender
On April 9, Lee said, "There is nothing left me to do but to go and see General Grant, and I would rather die a thousand deaths.". The two generals met in Wilmer McLean's home and Lee surrendered the war to Grant finally ending the war. -
Death
Lee suffered a stroke on September 28, and in two weeks. The honorable general died peacefully in Lexington, Virginia.