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Essay about robert e. lee
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Robert E. Lee once said, “Duty then is the sublimest word in the English language. You should do your duty in all things. You can never do more; you should never wish to do less.” Lee was a very wise man during his time, and his wisdom can even reach into modern times. Robert E. Lee was a native Virginian, and that fact caused him to make the biggest choice of his life. There were three major stages in Lee’s life: His childhood, his time in West Point, and, of course, being a general during the Civil War. Robert E. Lee’s childhood wasn’t exactly picturesque. His father was a Revolutionary War hero, called Light-Horse Harry Lee. Light-Horse Harry developed a gambling problem and was actually thrown into debtor’s jail. Even though he raised
General Lee said, to be a good soldier you must love the army, to be a good general you must be prepared to order the death of the thing you love, and therein lies the great trap of soldiering. When you attack you must hold nothing back." Thomas J. Jackson was both a good soldier and a good general. In the Mexican War he fought with all his heart for his country. When the Civil War came, he was a general. He never hesitated to send his men forward. He held nothing back. George McClellan also fought with all his heart for his country in the Mexican War. When the time came to send his men forward in the Civil War, he couldn’t do it. He loved the army to much to order its death.
Nevertheless, an attitude they show is their cause for engaging in the war. On page 110, Lee describes, “With every step of a soldier, with every tick of the clock, the army was gaining safety, closer to victory, closer to the dream of independence.” His words reveal that their reason for coming was to gain their long overdue independence. Without a cause worth fighting for on each side, the war would have no fuel or reason to continue. In like manner, another attitude of the South was their admiration for their commander general. On page 251, Longstreet proclaims, “Colonel, let me explain something. The secret of General Lee is that men love him and follow him with faith in him. That’s one secret.” I believe this clarifies that the bond of brotherhood and respect for each other in this army would allow for these soldiers to follow their leader blindly. The overwhelming amount of faith and trust among the Army of the Northern Virginia is inspiring. The Confederates prove in these appearances that they do indeed have an important cause that they are willing to die
Lee was born in Stratford, Virginia. Lee was the fourth child of General Henry Lee III, Governor of Virginia, and his mother, Anne Hill Carter, Lee was raised by his mother who taught him about authority, tolerance, and order. Lee was exposed to Christianity at an early age and devoted his life to god. In 1825, Lee was accepted into West Point. There he learned about warfare and how to fight. In 1829, Lee graduated 2nd of 46 in his class, but even more surprising is that he didn’t get a single demerit while attending West Point. Afterward, Lee was appointed as Superintendent of West Point from 1852 to 1855. After he served his term, Lee left West Point to become a Lieutenant Colonel in the 2nd Cavalry of Texas.
In conclusion, although some people might think that he was just a general; the best years of his life were after the war for two main reasons. First, he changed education. But most importantly, he changed the minds of the south. Without Lee’s character during his last five years, the south might have been in chaos. Lee shows evidence to the power of healing, and the difference education can make. This man truly represents what a true christian was, and should be studied for ages to come, but as the man he was, as opposed to the general. The last years of this mans life are by far the most amazing, and should get just as much attention as his years in the war.
...hermore, going to war was an act of cowardice. He had to put aside his morals and principles and fight a war he did not believe in.
Bruce Catton highlights many differences between two significant military officers, Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee, from the American Civil War in his essay, “Grant and Lee: A Study in Contrasts.” Although Catton compares the two generals and illustrates the disparity between their personalities and backgrounds, he allows the reader to see what Grant and Lee had in common. The two men were army generals who were also “marvelous fighters” with “fighting qualities” that “were really very much alike” (Catton 370). According to Catton, Grant and Lee had “the great virtue of utter tenacity and fidelity” (370). These two military officers also possessed this “indomitable quality” that showed how they both refused to give up during trying times
Colonel Shaw, son of wealthy. He was 23 years old when he enlisted to fight in the War between the States. He is a very honored man and he constantly writes letters to his family. When Colonel Shaw went to war he had to realize how brutal war really was. When he fought in the Battle of Antietam, He was exposed to watching his men fall. But still he showed bravery, because he would yell to go forward when ev...
Robert Edward Lee was born in virginia, the fifth child of Henry “Light-Horse Harry” Lee 1756-1818 of Revolutionary War fame, by his second wife. He was slightly wounded in that war and earned three brevets to colonel. General Scott declared him to be “the very best soldier that I ever saw in the field.Lee’s first field command was in the western part of the state, where he failed to hold back invading Union forces in an area of strong pro-Union sentiment. He was recalled to Richmond, and from March 1862 he was military adviser to President Davis. From this position he was able to influence some operations, notably those of General Thomas Jackson in his Shenandoah Valley campaign.Robert E. Lee served as a military officer in the U.S. Army,
Bruce Catton focuses on the upbringing of both generals as he vividly describes the differences between Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee. In the analysis of the two generals Catton emphasizes on the fact that these two generals come from different worlds but share personality traits when it comes to their field of work. Being that Robert E. Lee was a Virginia born, raised in a traditional family that influenced systematic views empowered from the time of knighthood, Ulysses S. Grant was a polar opposite, coming up having a hard life and being a "modern man." Despise the major differences of their agents to political socialization, both generals share similar skills in combat. Specifically explained, the author emphasizes on the fact that
During the time of slavery, African Americans were afraid to go against their masters’ commands because they would be beat, whipped, or killed. Frederick started the Sabbath school to help slaves learn, because their masters have deprived them of knowledge. Even though, “Every moment [the slaves] spent in that school, they were liable to be taken up, and given thirty-nine lashes”, they still went to gain intellegence. Another example is, if slaves ever got caught trying to run away, they would be “returned to slavery—with the certainty of being treated tenfold worse than before”. However,
Discuss the historical, political and social setting of Harper Lee's. novel To Kill a Mockingbird contributes to the fears that are present. in Maycomb County. Maycomb County had recently been told that it had nothing to fear but fear itself. (Scout Finch, Chapter 1, 'To Kill a Mockingbird').
He was not "dignified" in the way that General Lee was, though rough and ready, he was always a gentleman, in the best meaning of the word. He was proud of his soldiers and his work, and ambitious to do his utmost for his country. He had so great a faith in the Union cause that he never for a moment lost hope that in the end it would succeed.
Robert E Lee is very quick and smart. He knows how to improve the quality of troops and to nullify the Union’s advantage. Lee is willing to make bold and risky moves, and does not let his defeats hinder his performance. General Lee has great relations with his soldiers, and uses his engineering experience to his advantage.
Back then, most parents that came from a foreign country always seemed to push their kids to do their best so they can have a better life style than their parents. Lee ended up going to Lehigh for college. He did very well for himself. Before he went to college though, he enlisted in the army. It was around World War II when he did so, of course. But because he had Rheumatic fever when he was a kid , he couldn’t go and fight. The doctors said it was gone. The army said it could come back though. So they rejected his application. He went to Lehigh instead. Ford always took the top student out of the top fifty colleges back then, for a study at Ford. They would get to work at Ford doing just about everything you could do. Lee was one of them invited. He enrolled at Princeton after that. He graduated with a degree in engi...