Robert E.Lee Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Robert E.Lee - Research Paper Example Robert was the fourth child in the family. He was mainly raised by his mother. She instilled in little Robert bases of strict discipline, patience and religiosity. Robert spent only four early years of his life here in Stratford, but these very years largely determined the character and the fate of the future General. Sometimes it happens that one of the children inherits from the previous generations only the best traits. That was the case with Robert Lee. From the ancestors from the mother’s side he got a handsome appearance; from the father’s - physical strength and sense of duty and responsibility, which during the years of revolution General George Washington himself noted in Henry Lee. Even the financial problems of father positively affected his son: for his entire life Robert Lee was extremely meticulous and careful in all the matters concerning money and business. Ann Carter Lee also instilled in son the perception of the importance of the family values. Robert tenderly loved his mother. By the time he turned 12, his father died and his brothers had left home so he was the only son living with his mother. He had to become a head of a big house, and took a great care of his mother and sisters, who were weak health wise. Robert Lee chose a military career because of the financial concerns. His older brother Charles Carter was studying in Harvard and the family did not have money for Robert to do likewise. So he took the only option available, which is of entering West Point Military Academy. During his cadet years, Lee did not receive a single penalty and served as the cadet corps’ adjutant. He was loved and respected by his schoolmates, and graduated second in his class. Years later, in 1852, Lee returned to the West Point academy as the superintendent. The best graduates were assigned into Engineer Corp; the same applied to Robert Lee. Among his first assignments in the practical military field was dam construction in Saint Louis a nd strengthening coast forts in Brunswick and Savannah. He carried out engineer projects in Georgia, Virginia and New York. On June 30, 1831 he married Mary Ann Randolph Custis, a distant relative. Mary was the only daughter of George Washington Park Custis, adopted grandson of George Washington. Robert Lee always honored the memory of George Washington and really admired his great services to his country. In 1846 Mexican-American war broke out, and Robert was sent on mission into Mexico to supervise roads construction, where he first served under the command of the General John Wool. His mission was to scout the land to find best routes for attack. At the time of the Mexican campaign, to the addition to his engineer expertise, he was also noticed by General Winfield Scott, American forces’ Commander-in-chief, for his cavalry deportment and outstanding abilities of intelligence officer, and made Lee a part of his staff. This experience taught Lee many great lessons on battle strategy and tactics, which were successfully applied by Robert 16 years later. Lee was entrusted the task of maps composition and correction. To the addition to it, he also had to lead soldiers into hand-to-hand combat. Here in Mexico Lee it was introduced to the people, which would play major roles in the soon- to- start Civil War: Thomas Jackson, George Piketon and Ulysses Grant. In spite of irreproachable service and heroism and courage manifested in the course wars, the Lee career growth was extremely slow. He was sent to the most remote and wild places. He repeatedly