A few more remarks about Robert E. Lee, best known as commander of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia during the War Between the States, since today is his birthday, (1807-1870).
When Virginia seceded from the Union, Lee followed his home state, despite the fact that Lincoln had offered him command of the Union Army. He got along well with President Jefferson Davis, and won many battles against larger Federal forces.
Lee ultimately surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. After the war, he became President of Washington University, which after his death was renamed Washington & Lee.
Wikipedia says: "Lee became the great Southern hero of the War, a postwar icon of the 'Lost Cause of the Confederacy' to some. But his popularity grew even in the North, especially after his death in 1870. He remains an iconic figure of American military leadership".
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