A black and white photo of an older, bearded man wearing a gray military uniform with three stars on his collar

Robert E. Lee remains the most iconic figure of the Confederacy. He was the son of Henry "Lighthorse Harry" Lee, one of George Washington's most trusted commanders in the American Revolution. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he was widely considered the most talented officer in the U.S. Army. President Lincoln offered him command of the Union army. He declined it and became Jefferson Davis' top military advisor.

On the battlefield, Lee outwitted a number of Union commanders. Even after meeting his match in U.S. Grant in May 1864, Lee still managed to drag the war out another year with defensive tactics that stalled a superior force with seemingly limitless resources. His defensive campaign nearly brought Southern independence as he inflicted enough Northern casualties that Lincoln almost lost the Election of 1864. After the war, he worked towards restoring national unity before dying in 1870.

Interactive exercise. Assistance may be required. Click on the three aspects that form the core of Lee's leadership and historical legacy:

Sources of images used for this section as they appear, top to bottom:

Robert Edward Lee, Wikimedia
Gen. Robert E. Lee's Visit to the Grave of Gen. Thos. J. Jackson, Library of Congress
Robert E. Lee at Chancellorsville, May 2, 1863, Library of Congress
The Surrender of General Lee, Library of Congress