American Art Collaborative

Robert E. Lee is considered one of the greatest generals of the Civil War. He graduated from West Point Military Academy in 1829 and served in the Corps of Engineers. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1855 and commanded the Second Cavalry at the West Texas regiment. Lee did not support secession, but his loyalty to Virginia came first, and in 1861 he resigned from the army. He joined the Confederacy and in 1862 assumed command of the Army of Northern Virginia, successfully keeping Union forces at bay for three years