Robert E. Lee

Part I of Essay
was born on January 19, 1807 in Stafford, Virginia. The son of Lighthorse Harry Lee and was educated at the U.S. Military academy. In 1829 he graduated second in his class receiving a commission as second lieutenant in 1836 and captain in 1838. He distinguished himself i ....

Part II of Essay
.... and was then placed in command of the Army in northern Virginia. In February 1865 Lee was made commander in chief of all Confederate armies; two months later the war was virtually ended by his surrender to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House. The masterly strategy of Lee was overcome only by the superior resources and troop strength of the Union. His campaigns are almost universally studied in military schools as models of strategy and tactics, He had a capacity for anticipating the actions of his opponents and for comprehen ....