What was Robert E Lee fighting for in the Civil War?

Robert E. Lee was a Confederate general who led the South’s attempt at secession during the Civil War. He challenged Union forces during the war’s bloodiest battles, including Antietam and Gettysburg, before surrendering to Union General Ulysses S.

Why did General Robert E Lee decide to invade the Union?

Lee decided to invade the North at Sharpsburg, Maryland (Antietam) because he believed that a victory on Union soil would help win support for the South in Europe and turn the northern public opinion against the war. Which Union General commanded the North’s troops?

Why did men volunteer to fight in the war between the Union and Confederacy?

Duty, honor, and belief in the cause were the most common reasons that Civil War soldiers gave for enlisting in the army. McPherson suggests that these motivations may have masked other motives like desire for personal glory and adventure, but he concludes that soldiers had a genuine sense of duty and honor.

Why must General Lee divide his army on his way to Maryland?

He wanted to maintain the momentum achieved with his stunning victory at Bull Run, which left the retreating Union army in chaos. By advancing into Maryland, Lee could relieve Virginia of enemy occupation. Lee hoped that by marching into Maryland he could rally the Border State for the Southern cause.

Which was a reason for Robert E Lee’s first invasion of the North?

Several motives led to Lee’s decision to launch an invasion. First, he needed to supply his army and knew the farms of the North had been untouched by war, unlike those in Virginia. Moving the war northward would relieve pressure on Virginia.

What did General George Henry Thomas do in the Civil War?

George Henry Thomas (July 31, 1816 – March 28, 1870) was a United States Army officer and a Union general during the American Civil War, one of the principal commanders in the Western Theater . Thomas served in the Mexican–American War and later chose to remain with the U.S.

Who was the best Union General of the Civil War?

1. George Thomas According to some historians, the greatest and most skilled Union general may have been a southerner. A native of Southampton County, Virginia, George Thomas was a career soldier who had served with distinction in the Mexican-American War and later taught at West Point.

Who was the only Civil War general to never lose a battle?

Just about everyone, that is, except Major General George H. Thomas of the Army of the Cumberland, the only Civil War commander who never lost a battle, the man who saved a Union army at Chickamauga and demolished a Confederate force at Nashville.

Which Union generals switched sides during the Civil War?

Get the facts on six generals who switched sides in the run-up to the Civil War. 1. George Thomas According to some historians, the greatest and most skilled Union general may have been a southerner.