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They say you had to see him to believe that a man so fine could exist. He was
handsome. He was clever. He was brave. He was gentle. He was generous and
charming, noble and modest, admired and beloved. He had never failed at anything
in his upright soldier's life. He was born a winner, this Robert E. Lee. Except
for once. In the greatest contest of his life, in a war between the South and
the North, Robert E. Lee lost (Redmond). Through his life, Robert E. Lee would
prove to be always noble, always a gentleman, and always capable of overcoming
the challenge lying before him. Robert Edward Lee was born on January 19, 1807
(Compton's). He was born into one of Virginia's most respected families. The Lee
family had moved to America during the mid 1600's. Some genealogist can trace
the Lee's roots back to William the Conqueror. Two members of the Lee family had
signed the Declaration of Independence, Richard Lee and Francis Lightfoot.
Charles Lee had served as attorney General under the Washington administration
while Richard Bland Lee, had become one of Virginia's leading Federalists.
Needless to say, the Lees were an American Political dynasty (Nash 242). Lee's
father was General Henry Light-Horse Harry Lee. He had been a heroic cavalry
leader in the American Revolution.
He married his cousin Matilda. They had four
children, but Matilda died in 1790. On her death bed she added insult to injury
upon Henry Lee by leaving her estate to her children. She feared Henry would
squander the family fortune. He was well known for poor investments and schemes
that had depleted his own family's fortune (Connelly 5). Henry Lee solved his
financial problems by marrying Robert's mother Anne Carter, daughter of one of
Virginia's wealthiest men (Nash 242). Henry Lee eventually spent his family into
debt. Their stately mansion, Stratford Hall, was turned over to Robert's half
brother. Anne Lee moved with her children to a simple brick house in Alexandria.
Light Horse Harry was seldom around. Finally, in 1813 he moved to the West
Indies. His self-exile became permanent, and he was never seen again by his
family (Thomas). Young Robert had other family problems. His mother became very
ill. At the age of twelve he had to shoulder the load of not only being the
family's provider, but also his mother's nurse. When time came for Robert to
attend college, it was obvious his mother could not support him financially. She
was already supporting his older brother at Harvard and three other children in
school. In 1824 he accepted an appointment to the United States Military
Academy. During his time at West Point Lee distinguished himself as a soldier
and a student. Lee graduated with honors in 1829 (Nash 245). His graduation was
dampened by a call to the bedside of his ailing mother. When he arrived home he
found his fifty-four year old mother close to death. A death caused by struggles
and illnesses of her difficult life. Robert was always close to his mother. He
again attended to her needs until her death. On July 10, 1829, Anne Lee died
with Robert, her closest son, at her side.
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