Robert E. Lee: A Remarkable Military Career

Robert E. Lee - today, the mere mention of his name is enough to arouse passionate debate. In his time, he was loved and respected by both the Confederate Army and the Southern people. Curiously, following the Civil War, this high admiration carried over to include the people of the North, and Lee become a cherished figure for all Americans. During the war, when Abraham Lincoln looked at a picture of Lee, he remarked that a man with such a compassionate countenance had to be a ‘good man.’ But the war to which he devoted his every fiber broke him, if not in spirit, certainly in body and he was only to outlive the conflict by five years.

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Credits:
Host - Simon Whistler
Author - Jamie Carter Logan
Producer - Jack Cole
Executive Producer - Shell Harris

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[Pikazilla]

north or south
we must all agree
the civil war had god tier beards and sideburns

[David_Me]

"I cannot trust a man to control others who cannot control himself."
- Robert E. Lee

[apacifistmachinegunner]

“It’s a good thing war is so terrible, otherwise we would grow quite fond of it.”

General Robert E. Lee

[NickB]

After the war, General Grant nearly went ballistic when he heard the US government was considering charging General Lee with a crime of being a traitor. He threatened to resign if Lee were charged with a crime. I think this alone prevented anything from happening to Lee. They both had a great respect for one another.

[BListHistory]

"I tremble for my country when I hear of confidence expressed in me. I know too well my weakness, that our only hope is in God." -Robert E. Lee

[optic]

Ulysses S. Grant; The "S" did not stand for "Simpson". In fact it stood for nothing. Grant's given name was Hiram Ulysses Grant. A clerical error when he enrolled at West Point had him registered as Ulysses S. Grant. Grant found the procedures required correct the error too onerous, so he stuck with the name he had been registered under.

[JoJoJoker]

How can you leave out the fact he was the first student to graduate West Point without a single demerit?

[animal]

I'm glad both Grant and Lee understood each others feelings about the war. No pomp and circumstance. Just stopping the war and start the healing.

[BibleStudentU]

At West Point Lee was called the "Marble Model" because he never got any demerits. Also one thing Lee was known for is that during the war he would not sleep in a house that was still occupied even if invited to do so by the owners. He did this out of respect for his men sleeping on the ground. Lee was all but worshiped by most of his soldiers.

[dancoughlan]

You've done it again Sir. As a 36 yr Veteran of the Canadian armed forces, I appreciate how you treated one of the GREATEST Generals of all time. Thank You .

[BC-lizc]

A man who's tactics are still studied today in many military colleges today.

[ExplorersCompass]

I like how unbiased this video is. It doesn’t present Lee as a villain, and nor does it present him as a complete hero. It really just depicts him in a respectful manner as a mixed bag.

[HaysOnYoutube]

Early life...
*Shows him as an old bearded man with gray hair*

[tylerrebik]

Amongst other things, you forgot to include that:

*Lee served as Commandant of West Point.
*Lee married the daughter George Washington's stepson.
*Lee left such a mark on Washington University that it is now called Washington and Lee University.
*Lee was descended from Gov. Alexander Spottiswood as well as Scottish royalty.
*Lee was related to Richard Henry Lee, Francis Lee, and Arthur Lee.
*Lee knew Grant from the Mexican-American War.
*Lee was offered the chance to take command of the Romanian army and to live with a British Lord once the Civil War ended.
*Lee was visited often in youth by the Marquis de Lafayette who told him stories of the Revolutionary War and his father's service.

Just thought this missed too many points of interest in Lee's life. My family routinely regales on him, as he was a distant uncle.

[tomea]

Very, very well done biography. As a Northerner growing up I was never taught the full story of General Lee and needless to say have a whole lot more respect for him now. A true man of honor.

[cojimotomisashi]

"I am nothing but a poor sinner, trusting in Christ alone for salvation."
"The education of a man is never completed until his death."
- Robert E. Lee

[GravityFromAbove]

Thanks for this balanced treatment of Robert E. Lee. It's sad to think of the many younger folks these days who simply take a Manichean view of the past. This was a good corrective. Keep it up.

[lukezuzga]

Great video Simon. Many Americans forget that Americans were being killed on both sides. They forget that Lee was very respected on both sides. Its amazing how he described how the war would go in that letter!

[EmmersomBigguns]

One fact missing or not included: Lee's wife attempted to pay the taxes on their land but the government refused to accept the payment. It was through this measure that the government claimed his land due to "non-payment" of taxes.

[ignitionfrn]

0:50 - Chapter 1 - Early life
1:40 - Chapter 2 - A military career
3:20 - Chapter 3 - A fateful decision
5:30 - Chapter 4 - The war
9:40 - Chapter 5 - Gettysburg
16:20 - Chapter 6 - After the war