Robert E. Lee

Robert E. Lee’s good manner and attitude, plus his drive to succeed was inspirational to his soldiers, giving him the talented ones that he had at his side.

Although Lee, with reason, was called the most talented soldier of the Confederates, he had several followers with talent too. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was one of his followers and arguably his right hand man. Stonewall was key to the achievements and success of Lee, helping with attacks on Union armies or distractions to the armies of big generals like Ulysses S. Grant. Unfortunately for Lee and the Confederacy, Jackson was killed in a friendly fire accident.

Although most aspects of his personality and strategy were helpful, some other parts helped him to lose battles and lose the war. His intelligence, for example, helped him to outplay his opposition but it also brought him a sense of doubt in his strategies, making him pull out or attack soldiers in ways that he thought he needed to. The strongest example, Pickett’s Charge could have been interpreted as a disastrous attack as a result of doubt or panic because he felt he needed to attack Union soldiers located on high ground while Pickett was on level field. Most of Pickett’s men died in what Lee considered to have been his worst blunder as a general.

Despite Lee’s success, in the end, Lee and the Confederacy did lose. The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the war for the Confederacy and Robert E. Lee’s career. The mistake of Pickett’s Charge and thus the retreat brought guilt to Robert E. Lee, who never seemed to fully recover after the battle, thus nearing the downfall of the Confederacy. “Gettysburg was the price the South paid for having Robert E. Lee as a commander.” Shelby Foote.

On April 9, 1865, Lee finally surrendered to Union general Ulysses S. Grant at the Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia. It was probably a bit of a relief for Lee that the war was almost over. “So far from engaging in a war to perpetuate slavery, I am rejoiced that slavery is abolished. I believe it will be greatly for the interests of the South.” Robert Lee. Yet, because of his passion and commitment in whatever he did, it was surely painful to fall at the same time.
After the war, Lee settled with his wife, Mary Custis, and became interested in postwar politics. He died of effects of pneumonia on October 12, 1870, ending the life of one of the most successful generals of not only the Civil War but in American military history.
In Conclusion, Lee will always be remembered for his passion and his insatiable determination to be good and successful at whatever he did. Even though he fought for a side that’s ideals were wrong, his legacy cannot be tainted enough for people forget him as a good fighter, advisor and person. One of Lee’s famous quotes sum up Lee’s true nature.
“Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more; you should never wish to do less.”
Robert E. Lee.