Robert_E._Lee

Robert E. Lee Lee used the “turn the tide” strategy often when he took the war into the North. After holding back attacks on Virginia, Lee decide to turn the tide by threatening Washington, D.C. Lee came to Frederick, Maryland, trying to capture Harpers Ferry and open up a supply route through the Shenandoah Valley. Northern General McClellan fought unexpectedly well. Lee gathered his scattered men near Sharpsburg, Maryland, for the battle of Antietam. Lee had lost fewer men than McClellan, but the battle of Antietam was very costly for both armies. The North was trying to cut the South in two by laying siege to Vicksburg, Mississippi, Lee decided to turn the tide by invading the North again. Lee had won a few battles and was on his way to Washington when he came to Gettysburg, PA. The battle of Gettysburg was very gruesome and after the loss of General Jackson Lee’s army fell because of his other Generals hesitation. After the Battle of Gettysburg, Lee’s army fought on the defensive side for the rest of the War. Robert E. Lee’s engineering skills allowed him to defend Richmond and keep the war going while his strategic skills allowed him to overcome much larger opponents and strike at Washington. Lee was successful in most aspects of the war. General Lee’s skill paired with the Unions recourses would have been a dangerous combination. If the North had been able to convince Lee of staying in the Union it would have likely spared countless Yankee lives.