Robert E. Lee: Early Years, Accomplishments, America's Impact, And Historical Significance

ROBERT E. LEE: EARLY YEARS, ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AMERICA’S IMPACT, AND HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE Student’s Name Course Code and Title Date Robert E. Lee (1807-1870) is recognized as one of the most influential military officers in the history of American armed forces, who inspired his soldiers to remain bold even when faced with the most difficult challenges. He rose to the ranks of a military general commanding the Confederate army during the Civil War (1861-1865). Tactical brilliance and ability to lead his army to victory during the Second Bull Run (Manassas), the Peninsula Campaign, as well as the bloody Battle of Chancellorsville enabled him to be known as an American military icon (McNeese 2005, 72). President Dwight D. Eisenhower said that Lee was a supremely gifted person and one of the most selfless individuals, both as a person and as a leader (Cobb 2011, 4). He added that as a nation, America was greatly honoured to have to have had its army being led by Lee, for people of Lee’s calibre tend to have unconquerable souls and spirits. This paper critically analyses Robert E. Lee’s early years, greatest accomplishments, impact on America, and his significance to history. Early years Lee was born in 1807 in Virginia and although his family had aristocratic connections, his parents were not wealthy or influential. In March 1824, he was appointed as a cadet in West Port and after a four-year study; he became a second lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers. Joseph Johnston, who was a fellow cadet and would later become a Confederate general, described Lee as an individual with natural superiority, especially when it comes to leadership (Dowdey 2018). Lee managed to combine the attributes of dignity with sympathy, humour, and kindness and this enabled him to combine respect and develop friendship with his fellow colleagues. Lee was a captain during the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) and during this time, he portrayed his heroism and brilliance under General Winfield Scott’s leadership. He distinguished himself during the Mexican War, particularly in the battles of Churubusco, Veracruz, and Chapultepec (Cowley and Parker 1996). He became a superintendent of West Point in 1952. His performance in the military enabled him to be appointed as a lieutenant colonel after three years when the secretary of war, Jefferson Davis, approved him. During this period, he served in West Texas, leading the newly raised 2nd Cavalry. Although he was slightly wounded during this period, he managed to earn three brevets and became a colonel. His performance made Gen. Scott to describe him as one of the best soldiers he has ever seen in the battlefield (Cowley and Parker 1996). Lee’s leaders acknowledged his exemplary performance and gave him daunting roles while still in the early years of his military career. For instance, in October 1859, John Brown raided the American Arsenal and Amory located in Harpers Ferry, Virginia, while Lee was on leave in Arlington, Virginia (Lee 2008, 22). Together with J.E.B. Stuart, who was a Second Lieutenant, Lee was given the role of commanding the detachment of marines and they managed to seize John Brown and his gang. Greatest accomplishments Although Lee’s performance during the initial years as a soldier in the West cannot be described as out of the ordinary, his true nature as a combatant and his aptitude for war came out during his later years in the military. His greatest accomplishment became evident as a confederate general during the American Civil War (Bonekemper 2015, 7). As the commander of the army in North Virginia, Lee was known for his brilliant war waging tactics, which enabled him to engage in different battles during the Civil War. His performance and continuous promotion throughout his military career. Initially, Lee played a role in certain episodes that contribute to the start of the Civil War, when he defeated and captured John Brown in 1859 at Harpers Ferry. John Brown was an abolitionist who wanted to start a slave revolt by raiding the American arsenal. The operation to capture Brown and the overall command of the U.S. Marines was led by Colonel Lee. Brown and his men were captured after the refused Lee’s offer to surrender, and Lee would later say that Brown was a “madman” or a “fanatic” (Trueman 2015). Before the start of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln confirmed Lee as the Colonel of the First Regiment of Cavalry and this was done in March 1861. Less than a month later, Lee was offered the position of a Major General in the U.S. Army and given the role of commanding Fort Ma n son that is based in Texas. It is important to note that Texas had recently seceded in February. Therefore, the most important issue is how Lee ended up becoming highly prominent as a Confederate general during the Civil War. To start with, in the beginning of 1861, a letter that Lee wrote to his son indicated that he could not support the Confederacy. In the letter, he said that if the Union was dissolved, it would be the greatest calamity to ever affect the individual American states (Lee 2008, 20). Nevertheless, he had said that in case Virginia was invaded, he would not hesitate to engage in war in order to protect it. Therefore, the secession of Virginia from the Union made it clear that he was not willing to engage in a war that would involve attacking his own state. In fact, he requested Winfield Scott, who was the leader of the U.S. Army, if there was a possibility of being granted leave and remaining in Virginia during the war but this request was denied. Consequently, he resigned from the U.S. Army and became a full general of the commanding the newly created Confederate States Army in Virginia on 23rd April 1861 (Bonekemper 2015, 8). Although becoming a full General of the Army in Virginia was a great accomplishment, since only five men had ever held this position before the start of the war, he was defeated in his first battle that he commanded. Lee was blamed and his critics arguing that his leadership was responsible for the defeat. However, he was transferred to Richmond as a military advisor to Jefferson Davis. However, another fame was yet come, and this time was on June 1st 1862 when he returned as the commander of the Northern Virginian Army. Nevertheless, the Confederate press was not happy with his appointment since it was argued that he lacked a fighting spirit. The first military test for Lee occurred during the Seven Days Battles when he fought against the Potomac Army that was being led by George McClellan (Burton 2001, 281). McClellan’s army was advancing towards Richmond and Lee gave orders to the Confederate army to attack, but this resulted to a huge casualty among his men. Nevertheless, the aggressiveness with which the Confederates attacked the Union army surprised Mclellan and he was forced to cancel his advance and retreat, before reaching the Confederate capital. Consequently, there was a change in opinions that were expressed against Lee in the Confederate press. Another major accomplishment that Lee received was during the Second Battle of Bull run where his army emerged victorious. Nevertheless, there was huge casualty among the Confederates during the Battle of Antietam and he was forced to withdraw his army. Lincoln took Lee’s withdrawal as a sign of victory for the Union, but Lee used it as a tactical move since there was a huge chance of defeat. Lee also managed to defend successfully the Fredericksburg City when the Union army attacked it (historynet.com 2018). In addition, Lee’s a...