Robert E(dward) Lee - biography.

Robert E(dward) Lee - biography. American soldier, Confederate general in the Civil War Date Baptized January 19, 1807 Death October 12, 1870 Place of Birth Stratford, Virginia Known For Battling Union forces in the Civil War, utilizing skill in anticipating enemy tactics even though his army was outnumbered Encouraging reconciliation and peaceful reunification after the Civil War Milestones 1829 Graduated from United States Military Academy at West Point 1829-1846 Served as an engineer in the United States Army 1847 Served as staff officer in the Mexican War, and was involved in victories at Veracruz and Chapultepec Castle 1852 Returned to West Point, serving as superintendent until 1855 1859 Suppressed John Brown's anti-slavery insurrection at Harper's Ferry 1861 Rejected Lincoln's offer to command Union forces in the Civil War because he was unwilling to fight against his home state of Virginia June-July, 1862 Repulsed Union forces near Richmond as commander of Virginia forces December, 1862 Defended Fredericksburg July, 1863 Forced to retreat at Gettysburg February, 1865 Named commander in chief of Confederate Armies April 9, 1865 Surrendered at Appomattox Court House, leading to the end of the Civil War Did You Know Lee's father was the Revolutionary War hero Henry Lee, and his wife, Mary Custis Lee, was a descendent of Martha Washington. From 1865-1870, Lee served as president of Washington College (now Washington and Lee University). After the Civil War, Lee's request for amnesty was rejected and his citizenship was not restored until 1975. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.