President Robert E. Lee in March 1864
Robert E. Lee[]
Robert Edward Lee (January 19, 1807 – October 12, 1870) was a Confederate general known for commanding the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War from 1862 to 1865. The son of Revolutionary War officer Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee III, Lee was a top graduate of the United States Military Academy and an exceptional officer and military 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, and served as Superintendent of the United States Military Academy.
When Virginia declared its secession from the Union in April 1861, Lee chose to follow his home state and fight for the Confederacy. During the first year of the Civil War, Lee served as a senior military adviser to President Jefferson Davis. Once he took command of the main field army in 1862 he soon emerged as a shrewd tactician and battlefield commander, winning most of his battles, all against far superior Union armies. Lee's aggressive tactics, which resulted in high union casualties, are often credited for the Unions defeat. Lee became the great Southern hero of the War and used his image as a popular war hero to win the election of 1868 almost unanimously.
As President[]
Lee's Presidency is regarded as one of the best. Although the CSA's economy was facing recession and pressure from the north, Lee was a strong military leader who was able to inspire the Confederate people in a way that even Jefferson Davis couldn't. Despite being wildly popular, some in the deep south criticized Lee for being too soft on the preservation of slavery.
Robert E. Lee as President of the Confederate States.
Death and Legacy[]
On September 28, 1870, President Lee suffered a stroke. He died two weeks later, shortly after 9 a.m. on October 12, 1870, in the White House. He was burred underneath Lee Chapel at Washington and Lee University, where his body remains. After his death, Lee's Vice President General Richard Taylor took office. Today, Lee is recalled for being a legendary General, President, and one of the most influential leaders in early Confederate history.