Robert Edward Lee was a great leader for many reasons. Everywhere he went he gained the respect of his peers and even his enemies. This was due to all of his accomplishments in his early career at West Point, and through his service in both the Mexican American War and the Civil War. Lee’s tactics are revered by many and still analyzed today. The traits and principles he carried with him during his career allowed him to succeed, and rise above his peers.
Robert E. Lee was bound for military greatness from his birth on January 19, 1807, in Stratford Hall, Virginia. Robert E. Lee was the fourth child born to Colonel Henry and Ann Lee. His family came from Virginia aristocracy. Robert’s mother, Ann Hill Carter, came from one of the wealthiest families in Virginia, and his father, Henry “Light-horse Harry” Lee, served as a governor of Virginia and had earned respect and friendship from George Washington, as a commander during the American Revolutionary War. Henry Lee made a series of bad financial investments which led him in debtors prison. This caused his wife to move to a house in Alexandria because he could no longer provide for them. His extended family members included a president, a chief justice of the United States, and signers of the Declaration of Independence. His family's history made him want to do some admirable with his life. His acceptance into West Point Military Academy gave him that opportunity.
Lee enrolled at West Point Military Academy in the summer of 1825. Thats where he put in serious work, and started a good reputation for himself. Life as a cadet was not easy by any means. West Point helped him develop a strong work ethic and made him realize that success is not always dependent on perfection, but instead...
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...Once the war ended Lee was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.
Later, in 1852, Lee became the superintendent at West Point. This opportunity honed his leadership skills, not only in the military world but also in academics. Many of his students at West Point went on to later fight against Lee in the Civil War. This is where J.E.B. Stuart and John Bell Hood became an important part of his life. Lee also showed great instincts both as a commander and as a father figure for many of the students. He would hold meetings every Saturday with young cadets at his home. His wife and daughters would entertain the guests as Lee would try to instill the importance of the education that these young men were receiving. He made a point of knowing each cadet by name and being aware of their progress or lack of. This experience really prepared him for leading the South in the Civil War.
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.
“… no ordinary man. He had a quick, inquiring mind and uncommon resolve. He was extremely hardworking, forthright, good-natured, and a born leader. His commitment to the Glorious Cause of America, as it was called, was total. And if his youth was obvious, the Gl...
...didn’t over step his authority or attempt to subvert the army for his own purposes. Instead, George Washington sets the example of the military commander who was subservient to civilian political leadership. He also showed patience and coolness in the face of adversity. On many occasions in the book, the author cites Washington’s expressions of doubt and fears of failure, yet Washington never showed fear or doubt in action in front of his troops.
One of the best commanders in the Confederate army was Lee still; the Union stood at a better standpoint during the battle. “Perhaps the most significant lesson from July 3, 1863, concerns the method of decision-making. Though he may not have seen it as such, Lee’s decision to attack was at best a close call.” (Gompert 2006, pg.7). The battle of Gettysburg did not happen intentionally, planned however Lee did an astounding job and his best to defeat the Union army. Ultimately Robert E. Lee was responsible for the South’s loss
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.
Washington's selection to be the leader of the Continental Army was the wisest choice that the newly formed Continental Congress could have made. Washington's selection as Commander of the Continental Army did more to win the Revolutionary war than any other decision made during the conflict. His personal character epitomizes perfectly the five traits required in a successful general: wisdom, sincerity, humanity, courage, and strictness. (Sun Tzu p. 65) These five crucial traits will become apparent and Washington's strategy to win the War of Independence is elaborated on further
believed his army was invincible. One of his officers Jeb Stewart went on a wild goose chase, he was sospost to inform Lee but didnt. Lee had no eyes and ears to tell him what was going on.
...ow a great man the respect he deserved. When we learn about Revolutionary war history in school we learn about George Washington, Patrick Henry, and even Nathan Hale. But never is a word spoken about the accomplishments of George Rogers Clark and his small band of soldiers who assisted to the victory in east with their victories at Kaskaskia and Vincennes.
Ulysses S. Grant was an American general and 18th president of the United States. Grant was born in Point Pleasant, Ohio, on April 27, 1822, the son of Hannah Simpson and Jesse Grant, the owner of a tannery. Taken to nearby Georgetown at the age of one, he was educated in local and boarding schools. In 1839, under the name of Ulysses Simpson instead of his original Hiram Ulysses, he was appointed to West Point. Graduating 21st in a class of 39 in 1843, he was assigned to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. There he met Julia Dent, a local planter's daughter, whom he married after the Mexican War.
...rned the essential plans that a leader would need to lead him troops. He also had the morale and spirits to keep the troops ready to fight for the freedom they wanted, as well as his ability to command such troops in placement and tactics.
The Marquis de Lafayette is best remembered for the part he played in the American War of Independence. He contributed in helping the Americans gain free control over the colonies by breaking away from British home rule. For sixty years he fought with consistency and insight for political ideals and social reforms that have dominated the history of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Hence, Lafayette can be attributed to the spreading of liberty and freedom throughout America and France. Therefore, he is viewed as a symbol of liberalism in a once absolutist world.
...r his tactics. Historians and other officials have given credit to Sherman, for his tactics. He changed the face of war forever, and described it for what it is, “War is Hell!”
Born February 22, 1732 to a large family George was one of ten siblings’, son of a planter. George acquired a rather meager education from a private school. In 1751 George became a major in the Virginia military. A few years later Washington was made a lieutenant colonel and found himself in the middle of the French and Indian War. In 1759 Washington wed Martha, who had children by a previous marriage, George never had any of his own biological children. In 1775 George was chosen as commander in chief of the Continental army. Many highlights of his military career proceeded his reputation. The siege of Boston in 1775-1776, the defeat of the redcoats at Trenton, the masterful command, he portrayed in the victory at Monmouth, New Jersey, in 1778. “Washington was a hero of the Revolution, canonized by all and earned mass respect from his countrymen” (Cooke, 2002). In 1789 George Washington would become the first president of the United States, where he spent two terms in office. George is single handily responsible for shaping and structuring the government we now have today.
Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, born in Virginia, is one of my favorite Civil War characters. His parents died when he was young, leaving him and his sister in the care of an uncle. He spent his youth working in his uncle's grist mill and secured an appointment to West Point through his influence.
Lee is an excellent general for our newly created Confederacy. He is not only a national hero and in a very positive public light, he is also brilliant and valiant, knowing when to strict vital blows on the enemy. Even considering Lee’s weaknesses, he is still the General we need to lead the Confederacy to victory.