Who was Robert E Lee? I was born on January 19, 1807 in Stratford Hall, Virginia. My father, Henry, was a hero during the American Revolutionary War where he earned the nickname "Light Horse Harry". My mother, Ann Carter, came from a wealthy family. Despite my family's pedigree, we were not rich. My father had made some bad business deals and lost all of the family's money. When I was two years old, my dad went to debtor's prison. A few years later my dad went to the West Indies and never returned. Becoming a soldier, since my family didn't have any money, I saw the military as a great way to get a free education and to have a career.
I entered the West Point Military Academy at the age of 18 and graduated in 1829 near the top of the class.
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I reported to General Winfield Scott, who would later say that I was one of the best soldiers he had ever seen in battle. I was promoted to Colonel for my efforts during the war and had made a name for myself as a military leader. In 1859, John Brown led his raid at Harpers Ferry. He was protesting slavery in the South and was hoping to start up a revolt among the slaves. I was in charge of a group of Marines sent in to stop the raid. Once I arrived, the Marines quickly subdued John Brown and his men. Once again, I had made a name for myself. When the Civil War began in 1861, I was offered command of the Union Army by President Lincoln. I, however, was also loyal to my home state of Virginia. Although I didn't agree with slavery, I felt I could not fight against my home state. I left the United States Army and became General of the Confederate Army of Virginia. As commander of the Army of Northern Virginia I took control of one of the most important armies during the Civil War. The Virginia army fought many of the key battles of the eastern front. I chose talented officers such as Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson and Jeb Stuart. Although the Confederate armies were constantly outnumbered by the Union armies, me and my men managed to win many battles through our brilliance and