h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Robert E Lee - Confederate General - A2900512
Author: Jodan - Ohio history for 4200, Alex. - U201497

This is part of a 10 part US Civil War project.

Of all the 4 people I wrote about in this project, I respect Lee the most. He was brilliant, strong, compassionate and generally a great man.

Anyway, always willing to see your comments and ideas on the entry.

Interesting biography, Jodan. Well written.

HELL

Very nice!

A few things...

In 1861 the Union was broken as the Confederate States of America were formed, following Abraham Lincoln was elected as President. (Linoln's election as president)

...he would not fight against his neighbors, and resigned from the Union 1st Cavalry. (he would not fight against his home state)

From that position, he had a considerable amount of influence on military strategy and operations. (accounts differ on how much influence he had - some say he was frustrated by his lack of communication with the field)

Antietam
and more men (American soldiers) died on the day of 17 September, 1862 than in any other day. (in American history)

Fredericksburg
Burnside send thousands of men to their death in futile attacks on (entrenched) Confederate positions (on the high ground)

Gettysburg
And so, on 3 July, Lee ordered some extraordinary (something?). For whatever reason, he believed that a large scale attack on the centre of the Union line at the apty named Cemetary Ridge (would break the Union lines?). Under the protest of several leaders under him, the most senior among them being Longstreet, Lee ordered George Pickett to lead his division into the centre. 15,000 men went into the charge, and were attacked by a barrage of Union artillery and guns (which a prolonged Confederate artillery barage had failed to destroy). Very few men reached the top of the ridge, and couldn’t break the line.

His family estates were either burned or possessed by the Union (it should be noted that Arlington National Cemetery was Lee's property. As a bit of poetic justice, many of the Union's dead were buried on Lee's doorstep). More details at http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/historical_information/arlington_house.html

But really, this is a very complete biography. My comments aren't all that serious to the entry's successful trip to the EG.


- Jimi X

Boy, I really must have been distracted with that Gettysburg paragraph. Whoops

Everything you requested has been changed, added or amended.

He idolized George Washington (and even married a woman related to Washington and had ancestors who signed the Declaration of Independence) who so represented the American Revolution.
-->
He idolised George Washington who so represented the American Revolution (and even married a woman related to Washington and had ancestors who signed the Declaration of Independence).

and intelligence in military. --> and intelligence in military matters.

and never seemed to particularly like, or deplore slavery.--> and neither particularly liked nor deplored slavery.

to be disciplined, patience --> to be disciplined, patient

as a part of General Winfield Scott’s (the overall commander of American forces) staff
-->
as a part of the staff of General Winfield Scott (the overall commander of American forces)

neighbors --> neighbours

capitol city --> capital city (twice)

as a military advisor to Jefferson Davis --> as a military advisor to Davis

subsequently Jefferson Davis gave control --> subsequently Davis gave control

out-manouvred --> out-manoeuvred

one fourth of Pope's army --> one quarter of Pope's army

Harper’s Ferry --> Harpers Ferry

to seperate from --> to separate from

General Jackson and others were riding on his horse when a group of Confederate soldiers mistook him for the enemy and fired upon them
-->
General Jackson and some others were riding when a group of Confederate soldiers mistook them for the enemy and fired upon them

Lee would famously say that General Jackson lost his left arm but he had lost his right
-->
Lee would famously say that General Jackson lost his left arm but that Lee lost his right

the indepedence of the south --> the independence of the south

and has under him the over-cautious Longstreet --> and had under him the over-cautious Longstreet

Cemetary Ridge --> Cemetery Ridge (??)

Under the protest of several leaders under him --> Despite the protest of several leaders under him

All changed. Except for the sentence where Lee said he lost his right arm (Jackson). I think it's fine how it is, and pretty clear.

Thanks Gnomon.

A good read. Gen Lee is one of the bigger heros, IMO...

'Jeb Stewart' doesn't look right. I'm thinking it's Stuart. Unfortunately, both spellings are valid in a search, and are used interchangably.

I had trouble with Stuart/Stewart. I realized I was using it differently in another entry, so I googled both, and they came out about even and I couldn't find an authoritative source...

But I'll certainly be willing to be persuaded.

http://www.civilwarhistory.com/jeb.htm

I grow my beard like his during the winter...

For persuasion, please consider Gen Fitz Lee's very moving tribute.

Really bothers you, eh?
I'll look into it this afternoon - assuming I remember.

(And that's a large assumption)

Stuart

Definitely.

Mmm?