Robert E. Lee

     Born January 19, 1807, in Stratford Hall, Virginia, Robert E. Lee was a General of the Confederate army. Though he did not advocate slavery, nor was he a southern nationalist, but rather, he faught for the Confederates against the Union because he was the loyal son of the "sovreign state" of Virginia. Following the severe wounding of General Joseph E. Johnston, commander of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, position fell to Lee, native Virginian and West Point graduate. During the whole development of the Civil War, the ever-bold Lee demonstrated his military experience and prowess in his numerous victories against the Union despite the fact that he and his men were often outnumbered by the enemy. However, in the end, on April 9, 1865, he surrendered his army at Appomattox Courthouse.