General Lee's Grand March

As the war began, the military was as divided as the country. Many of the Army's finest officers were southerners who resigned from the United States Army to return to their home states and fight for the Confederacy. The most important of these men was Robert E. Lee.

After Fort Sumter fell, President Lincoln asked Robert E. Lee to become a general for the Union. Lee declined and chose to fight for his native state.

This is an excerpt from a letter he wrote to his sister:

"With all my devotion to the Union and the feeling of loyalty and duty of an American citizen, I have not been able to make up my mind to raise my hand against my relatives, my children, my home. I have therefore resigned my commission in the Army, and save in defense of my native State, with the sincere hope that my poor services may never be needed, I hope I may never be called on to draw my sword. I know you will blame me; but you must think as kindly of me as you can, and believe that I have endeavored to do what I thought right."

He had hoped that Virginia would decide to stay with the Union as he did not support secession but instead he ended up being the lead general for the South.

"General Lee's Grand March" was composed to honor him.