The Many Falls Of Robert E. Lee
The First Campaign Of General’s Perspective
If a series predicated on the perspectives of Generals is going to begin, it should begin with Robert E. Lee. No other figure embodies perspective so well. His latest run in the spotlight this fall was no exception. Lee challenged perspective like no other.
Interestingly, although likely not unique, this was not because he was a man of changing perspective, priority, or perception. Lee was a disciplinarian. He was an old school military leader, steeped in honor and pride. He had one love, one priority, and really only one perspective — protect Virginia. It was others perspective and perception that makes Lee such a great case study.
Lee has been attributed as a defender of slavery, a gambler, and even arrogant. His actions and his outcomes might support many of those claims. But his victories and his falls are much easier to explain with — protect Virginia.
Virginia, Military Service, & Horses
Lee was the son of a first family of Virginia and the Governor. The impact of “Light Horse Harry” Lee on his son is unclear, but they would share a tradition of Virginia, military services, and horses.
Robert E Lee would soon serve in the Mexican War and later become the superintendent of West Point. He embraced military service and was an advocate of a strong union. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Lee was offered command of the Union Army. His answer shocked many, but from his perspective — it was the only one to make. Lee resigned his post and took command of the Virginia State forces — protect Virginia.
Granny Lee & The King of Spades
Lee’s rejection of great glory, he wouldn’t even wear the stars for his new rank of General, is a statement on his motivations. He was not the stereotypical Southern Gentleman. He was a Virginia, a state with no lack of glory seekers but a culture more a tune to freedom and principle. Much of Lee’s family remained pro-Union. One can wonder — if it would not have been Lee’s job to attack Virginia, what then would he have done?
For those who believe him a gambler, his early nicknames challenge that perspective as well. In his first command, he was donned Granny Lee for his unwillingness to attack. Early on, his troops called him The King of Spades for his love of digging in. As a former Calvary man, he seemed rather tentative in those early years. Others would attribute it, perhaps more rightly, to patience and discipline.
The First “Fall” of Robert E. Lee
In the fall of 1862, Lee led his Army of Northern Virginia across the Potomac and into Maryland. It was a move that stunned many contemporaries and historians alike. It was a big gamble to many. It was also a fairly logical decision for a Calvary commander looking to — protect Virginia. It may not have been hugely successful but it changed perception.
Lee’s advance moved the battlefield, an outcome, while temporary, that was likely his highest priority. It unsettled his rival McClellan who, although victorious, would lose his job. It changed the entire perspective of the war on both sides. The South was now on the offensive and the battle of attrition (Northern will vs Southern resource) was no longer a set piece game. The entire fall campaign lasted only a few weeks and Lee was soon back in Northern Virginia.
The Second Fall… Gettysburg
Lee would try again the following summer. It was still consistent with his perspective and priority, but it would prove a greater gamble. Specifically because Lee would lose his perspective, not on strategy but on the battlefield itself. Lee’s early victories had featured masterful use of his Calvary, not unexpected given his history.
Gettysburg was an unintended battle. One that only happened because Lee’s Calvary, under the command of the far less disciplined “Jeb” Stuart, had gone missing. We don’t have time for General Stuart’s perspective here, but perhaps a future article. By the time “Jeb” returned, Lee’s army was locked in an unwanted confrontation.
Lee’s fall at Gettysburg was a turning point of the War. General Sherman was busy writing another chapter, but the that is the topic of another article as well. Lee would successfully shepherd his forces back to Virginia and watch as another opposing commander was replaced. Any hope for a third push was fleeting at best.
The Fall of The Confederacy
Lee found himself dug in, not a shock for the King of Spades, but unsettling for one looking to — protect Virginia. Some attempt was made to escape to North Carolina, but given Lee’s priorities — it is no surprise this failed.
The fall of the Confederacy would come in April of 1865. Many were still shocked that Lee did not chose to hold out a bit longer. Many more believe that Lee acted to protect the South. But the South could have held for a while, Virginia could not.
Two More Falls…
In the fall of 1865, Lee signed his Amnesty Oath. He took a position at Washington College in Lexington and did what he could to mend the broken Union. Lee is often criticized on both sides. Some feel he did not do enough, others that he should have fought on. In the end, he did what he could to continue to — protect Virginia.
Lee’s comments after the war were all predicated on healing division. Some believe he harbored resentment for the freed slaves, but his comments are also consistent of Granny Lee (prioritizing slow and patient change). Violent social reform, to Lee, would have been a danger to Virginia. Lee’s life long fight to protect his beloved state came to a close in the fall of 1870.
Legacy
Lee never regained his citizenship during life. His Oath was misplaced for more than a century. In the fall of 1975, he was posthumously granted his citizenship. Old legends live on. This fall, he returned again. The Marble Model, his West Point nickname, had his statues targeted by those who see him from the perspective of racial hate and divide.
Lee’s perspective would likely remain unchanged. Never a fan of glory, he would want only what would best - protect Virginia. Others are free to have their own perspective. Thanks for reading!
