Robert E. Lee was a Confederate general; whose military genius was probably the greatest single factor in keeping the Confederacy alive through the American Civil War.
Lee was born on January 19, 1807, in Stratford, Virginia. He was the son of Revolutionary War hero, Henry Lee III. Lee was also a model cadet at the United States Military Academy, better known as West Point. During his time there, he was nicknamed the "Marble Statue" because of his almost spotless record. During his four years at West Point Lee never earned a single demerit. After graduating second in his class in 1829, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army. He was promoted to first lieutenant in 1836, then to captain in 1838. …
