How did General Robert E. Lee feel about serving as the field commander for the Union army?
History · High School · Mon Jan 18 2021
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General Robert E. Lee did not serve as the field commander for the Union army during the American Civil War. Instead, he served as a prominent Confederate general, leading the Army of Northern Virginia. Lee's decision to join the Confederate cause was influenced by his loyalty to his home state of Virginia.
When the Civil War erupted, Lee was offered a command position in the Union army by President Abraham Lincoln. However, Lee declined the offer, citing his allegiance to Virginia. He famously stated, "I cannot raise my hand against my birthplace, my home, my children." Lee's decision to side with the Confederacy had a profound impact on the course of the Civil War, as he became one of the most skilled and respected military leaders for the Southern states.