Light-Horse Harry Lee and Robert E. Lee

<p>When the Revolution began the Continental Army sported numerous volunteers from Ireland Scotland virtually every European nation between France and Russia and men from the northern and southern borders of the European continent. This is understandable given that at the start of the war military confrontations between the world powers had become so common that combat was raised to the status of a fine art consuming a large portion of time for adolescent males in training and comprising a sizeable component of the economy. Weaponry was developed to a degree of quality not accessible to most North Americans and European aristocrats were reared in the mastery of swordsmanship with an emphasis on the saber for military use. Likewise the cavalry buoyed by a tradition of expert horsemanship and saddle-based combat was a fighting force largely beyond reach for colonists which meant that fighting on horses was an undeveloped practice in the fledgling Continental Army and the American military did not yet fully comprehend the value of cavalry units. Few sword masters were to find their way to North America in time for the war and the typical American musket was a fair hunting weapon rather than a military one. Even the foot soldier knew little of European military discipline.</p><p>All of this helps explain why aside from George Washington many Americans are likely able to name just as many foreign generals on the rebel side as American generals. While names like Lafayette Pulaski Kościuszko and Baron von Steuben are quickly associated with the Revolution American officers like Nathanael Greene Anthony Wayne Horatio Gates Henry Knox and Light-Horse Harry Lee are often overlooked. Over 200 years later Lee is best remembered not for his military or political service but for being Robert E. Lee’s father and all the attendant controversy that comes with his son’s legacy. This is unfortunate given that he was one of the most distinguished individuals of the age.</p><p>With the exception of George Washington perhaps the most famous general in American history is Light-Horse Harry’s son despite the fact Robert E. Lee led the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia against the Union in the Civil War. Lee was imbued with a strong sense of honor and duty from the beginning and as a top graduate of West Point Lee had distinguished himself so well before the Civil War that President Lincoln asked him to command the entire Union Army. Lee famously declined serving his home state of Virginia instead after it seceded.</p><p>Lee is remembered today for constantly defeating the Union’s Army of the Potomac in the Eastern theater from 1862-1865 considerably frustrating Lincoln and his generals. His leadership of his army led to him being deified after the war by some of his former subordinates especially Virginians and he came to personify the Lost Cause’s ideal Southern soldier. His reputation was secured in the decades after the war as a general who brilliantly led his men to amazing victories against all odds.</p>