Top 11 American Generals: #7 Robert E. Lee
America’s Finest Commanders: Remembering and Celebrating Their Military Prowess
As Veterans Day approaches on November 11, it’s important to honor the remarkable generals and admirals that the United States has produced over the years. While many have stood out as exceptional leaders, only a few have truly distinguished themselves as world-class strategists and commanders on the battlefield. In this series, we will explore the military prowess of these extraordinary individuals and pay tribute to their achievements.
Before we delve into the list, it’s crucial to clarify that the inclusion of any Confederates should not be misconstrued as support for the cause they fought for. The preservation of slavery and the secession of states had to be eradicated. However, it’s important to acknowledge the battlefield brilliance of certain Southern generals. This series aims to examine their military achievements, separate from their political affiliations.
Robert E. Lee, 1807 – 1870 (Civil War)
One of America’s most prominent soldiers at the outset of the Civil War was Robert E. Lee. Despite fighting against the U.S., Lee was undeniably a product of the American military tradition. His brilliance as a battlefield commander cannot be overlooked, even though his political choices were disastrous. Historian Shelby Foote described Lee as a great general on both offense and defense, highlighting his ability to fight effectively despite being outnumbered, outgunned, and lacking supplies.
American Confederate Army general Robert E Lee (1807 – 1870), Richmond, Virginia, 16th April 1865. (Photo by Mathew Brady/FPG/Archive Photos/Getty Images)
Born into one of Virginia’s first families, Lee declined Lincoln’s offer to command the Union Army. Instead, he took charge of the Confederate Army after Gen. Joe Johnston was wounded. Lee’s strategic brilliance became evident when he counterattacked Union general George McClellan’s advancing forces at the Battle of the Seven Days, saving the Confederate capital of Richmond. He then pivoted north to face another threat, defeating a second Union army under Gen. John Pope at 2nd Bull Run. Lee’s remarkable turn of fortune showcased his military genius and alerted the North to the dangerous foe they were up against.
An illustration of Thomas Stonewall Jackson at the Battle of Bull Run, during the US civil war, circa 1863. (Photo by Archive Photos/Getty Images)
Despite facing challenges such as exhaustion, lack of supplies, and constant fighting, Lee decided to invade Maryland. His hope was to secure a Confederate victory on Union soil, which he believed would convince Great Britain and France to form an alliance. However, his plans were thwarted at the Battle of Antietam, where he showed tactical brilliance by holding off repeated attacks from a larger Union army. Lee then retreated back into Virginia to regroup and await the North’s next move.
In December 1862, Lee achieved another resounding victory at Fredericksburg, decimating 12,000 Union troops with minimal losses on his side. The Union commanders who attempted to outmaneuver Lee, such as Burnside and Hooker, were no match for his strategic prowess. At the Battle of Chancellorsville, Lee divided his inferior army and took a daring risk by sending Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson to attack the exposed flank of the Union Army. The surprise attack resulted in a complete rout of the Union forces, forcing Hooker to retreat.
1863: The Battle of Chancellorsville in Virginia. (Photo by MPI/Getty Images)
Although Lee suffered heavy casualties, his stunning victory at Chancellorsville motivated him to embark on another northern campaign. However, this time he faced a formidable opponent in Gen. George Meade. The Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863 resulted in Lee’s worst loss of the war, with over 27,000 casualties. After retreating back into Virginia, Lee never launched another offensive.
Confederate prisoners at Seminary ridge during the battle of Gettysburg in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania circa July,1863. (Photo by Archive Photos/Getty Images)
By the summer of 1864, Lee found himself facing Ulysses S. Grant, his most formidable adversary. The two commanders engaged in a series of brutal battles across Virginia, with Lee managing to inflict over 50,000 casualties on the Union Army. Recognizing the political implications of the war, Lee hoped that the high casualties suffered by the North would lead to a change in administration that might favor the South. However, Lincoln’s re-election dashed those hopes, sealing the South’s fate. In April 1865, Lee surrendered what remained of his surrounded Army of Northern Virginia to Grant.
Vintage illustration at the Appomattox Court House in Virginia depicts Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendering his 28,000 troops to Union General Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865, effectively ending the American Civil War. Keith Lance. Getty Images.
After the war, Lee became the president of Washington College (now Washington and Lee University) and passed away in 1870 due to a chronic heart ailment.
While Lee had flaws, including a tendency to be reckless with his men’s lives, his soldiers adored him. His unwavering confidence in their abilities inspired loyalty and devotion. Lee’s martial figure was so commanding that even a loyal Union woman couldn’t help but admire him. Despite fighting for an unjust cause, Lee’s campaigns will continue to be studied in military academies for generations to come.
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America’s Top 11 Generals
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Brad Schaeffer is a commodities trader, columnist, and author of two acclaimed novels. His newest book, the fact-based LIFE IN THE PITS: My Time as a Trader on the Rough-and-Tumble Exchange Floors, will be published in December and is currently available for pre-order. You can also find more of Brad’s articles on Substack.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.
Questions:
Uding his support for slavery and the Confederacy, it is undeniable that he was a military genius and one of America’s finest commanders. His strategic brilliance, ability to outmaneuver his opponents, and his unwavering determination made him a formidable force on the battlefield. Lee’s military prowess deserves recognition and remembrance, separate from his political affiliations.
Ulysses S. Grant, 1822 – 1885 (Civil War)
On the other side of the Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant emerged as another exceptional commander. Grant’s military career began modestly, but he quickly rose through the ranks due to
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