Robert E Lee Strengths And Weaknesses

“Grant and Lee: A Study in Contrasts” is an informative essay by Bruce Catton comparing Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee: the most important military officers in the Civil War. The essay is about how the two officers are very different in values and lifestyles, yet very similar as the two strong leaders come to terms in the end at Appomattox. Catton first describes Robert E. Lee as a very traditional man who embodied aristocratic ideas. Ulysses S. Grant, on the other hand, is described as a modern day many who grew up working hard in the age of steel and machinery. Catton then points out that despite the difference the two generals had in terms of their beliefs and backgrounds, they both have perseverance and are strong, fast fighters. In the end, the two generals professionally behaved at Appomattox, turning from a violent war to peace, and they made history.

General Robert E Lee is a Confederate officer during this civil war. He has helped us Greatly during this time and hope he can lead us to victory. He is stationed in northern Virginia. He is making this army very successful and strong so they can compete with the Union soldiers. He wants to lead his soldiers into Northern soil because he realizes that his the way they will be able to win to be on Northern soil and get a victory. Robert E Lee is a very intelligent man and does believe that man will learn every day as in one of his quotes said “The Education of a man is never completed until he dies”

Robert E. Lee was a confederate general for the south. "Lee led one of the largest Confederate army and ultimately was named general-in-chief of all Confederate land forces." He went to West Point Military Academy. Lee was known for surrendering to Ulysess Grant in the Battle of Gettysberg. His tactics were strong and he was known as a good general in the south.

General Robert E. Lee was the leading general for the confederate army during the civil war and a revered heroic figure in the South now and then. Born in Stratford, Virginia Lee was head of his home states military until promoted to general-in-chief towards the end of the civil war. The opinion about General Lee is divided some have a deep respect for his military brilliance while others question some of his tactics. General Lee was a very smart man not just in military terms but just in general he was quite brilliant. When given the reigns to the confederate forces on the Virginia peninsula he renamed it the army of Northern Virginia. All of the sources used can agree that “Lee was a “military genius”, a nearly invincible general.”(Nolan

During the Civil War, Union General-in-Chief Ulysses S. Grant, and Confederate General Robert E. Lee, both showed immense Leadership when facing off with each other in the Civil war. They both were strong, driven, and determined leaders to win the war for the side that they were on: The Confederate army, or the Union army.

general during the Civil War of America. In 1861, as the U.S. moved nearer to the Civil War, Robert E. Lee was faced with life-changing accords. He was motivated by personal scruples of honor and a faithful allegiance to

Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant fought each other in the bloody Civil War, and they were respected generals and public figures. They shared some common values. For example, both Lee and Grant did not fight for violence, but they led armies to end the county’s fight against itself and bring peace back to America. Lee and Grant were also known for their military strategies that earned the Confederate and the Union numerous battle victories. On the other hand, they each had very different backgrounds that made up their value system. Lee's family represented a past era of knighthood and English squires. Grant, however, grew up beyond the mountains, and he became independent and self sufficient. Lee believed in a class society with inequality.

Thomas states in his work that Lee was always searching to seize the initiative and keep his opponent off balance. Grant may have been the master of the calculated risk, however Lee could be characterized as the master of the uncalculated risk. Lee more likely than not saw an aggressive plan as the only way to stand against the North’s seemingly endless resources. He expresses that Lee may have thought if he bloodied the Union forces seriously enough, often enough, the people of the North would grow tired of war. Thomas also goes on to write that Lee’s strategies went nearly too far, particularly when he divided his outnumbered troops, as he did both times the Army of Northern Virginia marched north of the Potomac. Thomas remarks on the battle at Antietam, where only good luck and a few minutes spared Lee’s battered army from annihilation.

Lee's character trait of courage made him a hero. The confederates were all practically all

The biggest thing that Grant had going for him was great superiors around him and a ton of resources. Whereas with General Lee he did not have all of these advantages, and had to take what he could

Succeeding in History “Grant and Lee: A Study in Contrasts” by Bruce Catton is an essay that compares and contrasts the lives and traits of Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant. Two Civil War leaders in American history who although were very different, were also able to come together and put an end to the Civil War. America was just a land that was staring over with the idea of having an equal chance in the world. Lee born in Virginia, strongly believed in family, culture and tradition.

There are so many differing views on Robert E. Lee, which may be the reason so many historians find him intriguing, however, he still remains very much something of a mystery. Many earlier works, beginning in the late 19th and until the mid-20th century, Lee has often been portrayed as nearly saint-like, nearly clairvoyant with his defensive actions. Modern historiographies of Lee vary from the earlier works written as they seem to look more into the man, rather than the legend. Earlier biographies of Lee interpret him to have been born in near perfection, a noble and honorable man, as well as a brilliant soldier. His childhood is either not mentioned or described as carefree and happy; his opposition to slavery is described as whole-hearted and intense; and his marriage to Mary Custis is often written as a wonderful and idyllic relationship. His working relationship with his war-time staff is frequently said to be completely agreeable and his military judgment is said to be splendid and sound. When defeat came, it was rarely said to be Lee’s fault but because others on his staff were to blame or because he was overwhelmed by forces beyond his control.

Grant and Lee are completely different when it comes to their views on what the American life style should be. Grants goals and standard are high, as the author says here in this statement: “Grant was the modern man emerging; beyond him, ready to come on the stage, was the great age of steel and machinery, of crowded cities and a restless burgeoning vitality” (411). I think that these values of a much larger and brighter future is a better choice. Thinking ahead rather than staying with the old ways is by far the greatest selection for the nation. Though Lee was a man of great class and noble causes he was forced to surrender to Grant. I suppose that the statement “out with the old and in with the new” is a true one. It would seem that Catton would agree with me when he said: “Lee might have ridden down

Lee and Grant would both serve under General Winfield Scott, a man whom they both admired, during his campaign to Mexico City. General Scott saw greatness in Lee and stated his “…success in Mexico was largely due to the skill, valor, and undaunted energy of Robert E. Lee.”15 Scott was also heard commenting a few years later that; “Lee is the greatest military genius in America.”16 Grant, only a first lieutenant, did not get an opportunity to show much leadership. Grant did however serve with valor. At the Battle of Monterey, Grant would gain some respect among his peers by successfully carrying much needed ammunition to his regiment while under fire.17 During the Civil War, Lee and Grant would implement skills learned while under the command of General Winfield Scott.

Although Grant and Lee had individual beliefs that clashed with one another they also had a few things in common. For example, Catton points out they were both great fighters that displayed a lot of tenacity and fidelity to their separate causes. Grant battled and endured his way down the Mississippi Valley despite his military handicaps and personal discouragements while Lee still had faith at Petersburg after all hope was lost. Also, their fighting qualities were very similar and they both refused to give up as long as they were able to fight. They were both also very daring and resourceful in that they had the ability to move quickly and think faster than the enemy. Most importantly, they were alike in the sense that they had the ability to turn away from war and come to peace once the fighting had ended. As a result, this helped the nation become whole and united again. Their gathering at Appomattox was a great moment in American history.