- published: 12 Dec 2015
- views: 548
Robert Edward Lee (January 19, 1807 – October 12, 1870) was a career military officer who is best known for having commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War.
The son of Revolutionary War officer Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee III and a top graduate of the United States Military Academy, Robert E. Lee distinguished himself as an exceptional officer and combat engineer in the United States Army for 32 years. During this time, he served throughout the United States, distinguished himself during the Mexican-American War, served as Superintendent of the United States Military Academy, and married Mary Custis.
When Virginia declared its secession from the Union in April 1861, Lee chose to follow his home state, despite his personal desire for the Union to stay intact and despite the fact that President Abraham Lincoln had offered Lee command of the Union Army. During the Civil War, Lee originally served as a senior military adviser to President Jefferson Davis. He soon emerged as a shrewd tactician and battlefield commander, winning numerous battles against larger Union armies. His abilities as a tactician have been praised by many military historians. His strategic vision was more doubtful, and both of his invasions of the North ended in defeat. Union General Ulysses S. Grant's campaigns bore down on Lee in 1864 and 1865, and despite inflicting heavy casualties, Lee was unable to force back Grant. Lee would ultimately surrender to Grant at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. By this time, Lee had been promoted to the commanding officer of all Confederate forces; the remaining armies soon capitulated after Lee's surrender. Lee rejected the starting of a guerrilla campaign against the North and called for reconciliation between the North and South.
Hey Look at the way she's wavin' her sail,
It's a wonderous sight to see.
People hurry on down from every town
Have a look at the Robert E. Lee.
Proud and strong and made to be free,
Can't go wrong on the Robert E. Lee.
Got the sun in my eyes and the wind in my face.
And it's good just to be alive.
Gonna set out tonight for New Orleans;
I won't sleep till I arrive.
And if I'm lucky
I'll find a young lady under the stars,
And we'll dance the night away.
Somebody wake me and say it's a dream
Leadin' me far from my home.
And haven't you noticed, despite what it seems.
You can't deny it's you and I alone.
Maybe spend my life just workin' the land,
Maybe livin' from day to day.
But I'm free tonight in New Orleans:
If I like it I just might stay!
Proud and strong and made to be free,
Can't go wrong on the Robert E. Lee.
Got the sun in my eyes and the wind in my face.
And it's good just to be alive.
Gonna set out tonight for New Orleans;
I won't sleep till I arrive.