Robert E. Lee

1
Robert E. Lee

• By Sara V.
• (True expert on Robert!)

2
?Little Buddy Robert?

• Robert E. Lee was born on January 19th, 1807 in
  Westmoreland, Virginia.
• The Lees lived on a plantation called Stratford
  Hall, a mansion near the Potomac River.

3
Roberts Family

• 2 of Roberts relatives signed the Declaration of
  Independence.
• Roberts father was Henry Lighthouse Harry Lee
  who fought in the Revolutionary War.
• When Robert was 6, his father left the family to
  sail to the West Indies because of his health
  problems (1813). Robert never saw his father
  again. (

4
?A Hard Life?

• The Lees were not rich.
• They only lived in a few rooms of the mansion
  because they could not afford to heat the whole
  house.
• Stratford Hall was successful but Henry spent all
  the money on bad business deals. To pay debts he
  sold land, furniture, and horses. What they
  didnt sell was taken away. In 1809, Henry was
  sent to jail for not paying bills.
• Mother had bad health too. Robert usually shared
  1 piece of chicken with his brothers for dinner.

5
?Growing Up at West Point?

• When Robert was 13 he went to the Alexandria
  Academy. When he graduated he didnt have enough
  money for college so he went to the free
  education military school, West Point.
• In 1825 he left for west point.
• West point had many tough strict rules. When
  pupils werent in class they had to study or
  practice military training.
• Robert got up at 530. Lessons were till 4 in
  the afternoon.
• Kept uniform spotless and his shoes polished.
  Never late for a class and in 4 years never
  earned a single bad mark. Graduated in 1829.
• Joined Army Corps of Engineers and designed forts
  and bridges.

6
?Falling for Mary?

• When Roberts mother died he went to his
  childhood friend Mary Custis to help himself get
  over his mothers death.
• The couple soon fell in love. In June 1831 they
  married.
• Mary was smart, pretty, and outgoing (She looks
  to me like shes dull, boring, and stupid.)
• She was the great-granddaughter of George
  Washington.

7
?A New Family Career?

• When they were newly weds, Robert started to
  travel for his career. He soon became captain of
  the engineers.
• Mary and Robert had 7 children George, Mary,
  William, Anny, Agnes, Robert Jr. ,and Millie.
• Robert wanted their kids to feel loved. He
  brought them pets, taught to ride horses, and
  read stories. But he also made them do chores and
  obey their parents.

8
The Mexican-War

• US had been in peace for a long time. But when
  US declared war on Mexico on May 13th, 1846, this
  peace was broken.
• They were fighting over the southern border of
  Texas. Lee was sent to Mexico with the army. He
  learned that war is horrible. But he did duty as
  soldier. He was made a colonel.
• In 1855 he joined the cavalry.

9
When the Civil War Came

• Robert didnt want the south to secede. But he
  reclined the request of Abe Lincoln, who wanted
  him to be General for the Union. He had to be
  loyal to his state andnew country, The
  Confederate States of America.

10
Traveller

• Traveller was the name of Robert E. Lees
  favorite horse.
• He got him as a gift but Robert insisted that he
  would pay him for Traveller.

11
During This War

• At one point Robert was called Granny Lee
  because he could not keep his officers from
  fighting. But when Jefferson Davis made
  Commander-In-Chief of the Northern Virginia Army
  everyone shut their yap about it.
• Lees men fought in many battles. Here are a
  few 1st 2nd Battle of Manassas Gettysburg.

12
?After the War?

• After the war Lee became the Principle of the
  Washington Lee University (named after him).
• They built him his own little house on the
  campus but he didnt get to enjoy it very long

13
When Mr. Lee Sadly Died

• Robert E. Lee died on October 12th, 1870 when he
  was 63 years old.
• Robert, Mary, and Traveller were all buried at
  Washington Lee University.

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Bibliography

• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_E._Lee
• http//www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/About2
  0the20General.htm
• http//www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/About2
  0the20General.htm
• Ransom, Candice. Robert E. Lee.