“Do your duty in all things. You can't want more, you should never want to do less." In all aspects of his life, Robert E. Lee exceeded all expectations of what it means to be a true American hero. During his service in the Mexican War, his dedication to our country and respect for our soldiers was unchallenged by any other American general. Lee was also balanced in his life and devoted much of his time to writing letters to his family showing them that he still thought they were valuable in his life even though he wasn't able to be with them all the time. Although Lee's motives for fighting for the South were called into question during the Civil War, he fought loyally and always wanted to make sure his reasons were clear; even admitting defeat he treated others with a respect that is difficult to find in today's generals. Robert E. Lee was an American hero, a man of great integrity, and the best general of the Civil War, whose great achievements far overshadow anything that could be said against him. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Lee's military career began with the onset of the Mexican-American War. Lee had just graduated from West Point with excellent grades and no demerits on his college record. He began as an engineer serving under U.S. Army Commanding General Winfield Scott, creating key artillery points and finding strategic routes for troops. Scott was very impressed with Lee's work especially during the Battle of Contreras when Lee did the unthinkable and crossed the Pedregal over steep and dangerous terrain at night with almost no lights to guide his path after seven of Scott's men had failed to attempt the same task. This act not only ensured victory for the U.S. Army, but demonstrated his unfailing integrity in carrying out what he said he would do, even though he could have easily surrendered, just like the other U.S. scouts. This courageous action also earned Lee the recognition of Scott who later said: "But the gallant and indefatigable Captain Lee, of the engineers, who has been constantly with the operational forces, has just arrived from Shields, Smith, Cadwallader, etc. , for report and to request that a powerful diversion be made tomorrow morning against the center of the entrenched camp” Winfield Scott is undoubtedly one of the most influential characters in Lee's military career and in a certain sense could be considered the military hero that Lee he admired Scott greatly, and in his resignation to Scott he said: "I will carry with me to the grave the most grateful memories of your kind regard, and your name and fame will ever be dear to me, except in the defense of my native State. I never wish to draw my sword again. Be pleased to accept my sincerest wishes for the continuation of your happiness and prosperity and believe me sincerely yours" Lee's recognition by the public began with Winfield Scott because at that time he was one of the most prestigious generals the United States had and spoke highly of Lee increasing public interest in this young engineer. Scott not only increased Lee's popularity, but was also one of Lee's greatest educators in the art of war. Lee was an avid follower of Scott and he learned a lot simply by observing and applying them very successfully. Lee has adopted many of Scott's traits, the need to delegate responsibility, the need to fight boldly and lead a trained staff.[3] Lee is also very popular for hisflank attack which Scott often used and during Civil War battles we see Lee use this same tactic over and over again. Lee's application of these necessary principles is what gave him such an advantage during the Civil War. Choosing a side in the Civil War was by far one of the most difficult choices Robert E. Lee ever had to make. He was torn between the decision to preserve the union he loved or to protect his home state of Virginia at all costs. “Except in the defense of my native State, I never wish to draw the sword again.”[4] Lee was first approached by a Lincoln representative named Blair who asked Lee to command the troops in defense of Washington D.C. Lee, immediately rejects the offer and then goes straight to Winfield Scott and resigns from the United States Army. "From the time of my interview with you on the 18th instant I felt that I should no longer hold my position in the Army. I therefore submit my resignation, which I ask you to recommend for acceptance."[5] The manner in which Lee handled his resignation, the fact that he turned down his promotion and then went on to resign shows how Lee was so dedicated to his home state of Virginia. Lee grew up in Virginia and lived there his entire life with his parents and siblings or with his wife and children. Lee saw that the conflict between the North and the South would end in war and although he was against the separation of the union and although he was against the separation of the union, he saw the Civil War as an excellent opportunity to prove himself in the military field . In April 1861 Fort Sumter was attacked by the Confederate States and the Civil War began. Lee begins as Jefferson Davis' chief military advisor in Richmond, Virginia, not 100 miles from the Union capital in Washington DC. On October 22, 1861, General Joseph Johnston, Lee's former classmate at West Point and like Lee was one of seven children. 6] Lee was then promoted to general of the Army of Virginia to defend his home state. During his first months as a general, Lee was very passive, which caused much popular disapproval from people in the southern states who nicknamed him "Grandma Lee"[7] due to his perceived weakness. Lee finally proved them all wrong during the seven-day battle against Union General George McClellan. McClellan was nearing the end of his Peninsula Campaign whose primary objective was to capture the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia. This was one of Lee's first assignments: the defense of Richmond and where he proved all "Grandma Lee" Southerners wrong. The Seven Day War was by far the Union's most humiliating defeat in the entire Civil War. General McClellan was just outside the Confederate capital and could have put an end to it all, but it was too late. General Lee employed a flanking technique he had learned from Scott during the Mexican War and sent his troops to flank the Union soldiers to catch them by surprise. At the end of the fighting the results were clear, although Lee took a great risk in having his troops leave Richmond to fight McClellan, but it paid off in a big way. McClellan's troops were taken by surprise and suffered a horrific defeat at the hands of Confederate soldiers and were forced to retreat giving Lee the perfect opportunity to invade the North.[8] It's a bold move, but Lee ultimately decides that to win the war he needed to bring the war to the north to lower the morale of the citizens, causing their support for the war to waver. During his campaign Lee completely crushes the Union forces,.
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