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Robert Edward Lee was the most beloved General in American History. His accomplishments have traveled through history as being unmatched by any other American General in History. He earned respect by hard work and discipline. He was a leader by example, and would never ask his men to do something he himself would not do.
He graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point in 1829. He later becomes the Superintendent of West Point in 1852. He would have preferred duty in the field rather that duty behind a desk, but worked without complaint. While Superintendent at West Point, he improved the buildings, the courses, and spent a lot of time with the cadets.
When war broke out between United States and Mexico in 1846, Lee was sent to Texas to serve as Assistant Engineer under John E. Wool. All his superior officers were impressed with Lee, especially General Winfield Scott. Lee supervised the construction of bridges for Wools troops to march towards the Mexican border. Lee also served as a scout for the Army. This was very dangerous work.
Once when he was out on a scouting mission, a couple of Mexican solders went to a spring to get a drink of water, Lee quickly jumped under a log where he stayed for hours in hiding as more Mexican solders arrived to play games on the log that he was hiding under. When the solders left, Lee was able to make it back to his unit. Lee was asked by Winfield Scott to help plan the battle of Vera Cruz. He was also asked to find out the best way to besiege the city and to find out what the Mexican General Santa Anna was planning. Lee overcame days upon end without sleep in order to minimize the number of American causalities. As the battle proceeded, Lee without realizing ordered his brothers artillery piece into action.
I could see his white teeth through all the smoke of the fire. Lee wrote to his wife Mary. When war broke out between the states in 1861, Lee was asked by the President of the United States Abraham Lincoln to led the army of the North and to crush the Southern states rebellion against the United States of America. Lee was disturbed by this question, and did not know whether to fight for the Government that he once served, or to fight for his home, family, and state. Lee once told his army, We are all sons of Virginia. So with grace, Lee turned down the offer brought forth by President Lincoln.
The war raged for four years, and it was becoming clear, Lees army simply did not have the manpower, or the natural resources that the superior northern army had. So lee was faced with one of his biggest decision that he ever faced, weather to do what his men despised, surrender, or to fight and lose thousands for a cause that was everyday looking more and more grim. So Lee surrendered ending the War Between the States. What fascinated me the most about Robert E.
Lee was that he was a man of class. He was sure to treat everyone with respect and equality whether they were a private in his command or a Commanding General. His military record is outstanding and probably unmatched. Robert E. Lee deserves all the fame and respect he has gotten if not more. There are few who have served their country with dedication and commitment as he did.
When push came to shove, Lee always had his priorities straight, whether it was being a superintendent at an academy or commanding troops in the field. His composure was loved and appreciated by everyone. I wish every American would serve his country as he did.
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Research essay sample on The Life Of General Robert E Lee
