Robert E. Lee ultimately chose to side with his home state of Virginia and resigned from the U.S. Army, joining the Confederate army as a colonel. He quickly rose through the ranks and was appointed commander of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in June 1862, where he led the army to several significant victories, including the Battle of Chancellorsville and the Battle of Fredericksburg.
However, despite his tactical brilliance and determination, Lee was unable to turn the tide of the war in favor of the Confederacy, and he suffered a series of defeats, most notably at the Battle of Gettysburg. After four years of fighting, the Confederate army was forced to surrender, and Lee became a symbol of the “Lost Cause” of the Confederacy, a term used to describe the romanticized view of the Confederacy and the South’s struggle for independence.
The Meetings and Relationship Between Robert E. Lee and Earl Van Dorn
The American Civil War brought together many West Point graduates and veterans of the Mexican-American War, creating a network of military leaders with shared experiences. Among these figures were Robert E. Lee and Earl Van Dorn, whose paths crossed on multiple occasions before and after the start of the War Between The States. From their days in Texas to the battlefields of Virginia, and even during Van Dorn’s dramatic campaigns in the West, Lee and Van Dorn knew each other and maintained communication over the years.
Van Dorn was summoned to Richmond, Virginia, and appointed a colonel in the 1st C.S. Regular Cavalry on April 25, 1861, leading all of Virginia’s cavalry forces (Foote, Vol. I, p. 278). He was quickly promoted to brigadier general on June 5 (Eicher, Civil War High Commands, p. 542). After being promoted to major general on September 19, 1861, General Van Dorn was made divisional commander of the Confederate Army of the Potomac five days later, leading the 1st Division until January 10, 1862.
Correspondence and Continued Contact (Robert E. Lee’s Letters To Van Dorn)
Evidence of Lee and Van Dorn’s relationship is further established through Lee’s letters to Van Dorn, offering military advice, expressing opinions on the Confederacy’s decisions, and expressing strong camaraderie. While the complete contents of the letters are not widely published, the content that has survived and the existence of the letters affirms a level of familiarity and mutual respect.
- One notable letter from Lee to Van Dorn is dated June 27, 1860. In this letter, Lee gives his opinions to Van Dorn on the Confederacy’s promotion of Albert Sidney Johnston and his own, while also extending congratulations to Van Dorn on his advancement. This exchange highlights the camaraderie among officers during that period. (Source: Archive Grid)
- Another significant letter from Lee to Van Dorn is dated September 15, 1857, written from San Antonio, Texas in which Robert E. Lee refers to Van Dorn as “My Dear Major.” While the full content of this four-page letter is not detailed in the available sources, its existence further underscores their communication during their service in Texas. (Source: Heritage Auctions)
- In another letter to Earl Van Dorn, dated July 3, 1860, Lee said that he hoped that “Judge Douglas would now withdraw & join himself & party to aid in the election of Breckinridge,” but no such withdrawal took place, and Lincoln was elected in November. (Source: Encyclopedia of Virginia)
These letters are part of various collections and archives, such as the Papers of Robert E. Lee, 1830-1870, which catalog numerous correspondences between Lee and his contemporaries. These letters indicate a professional relationship between Lee and Van Dorn, marked by mutual recognition and communication during their military tenures. Other letters from Lee to Van Dorn were never made part of the public record.
Shared Beginnings: West Point and the Mexican-American War
Both Lee and Van Dorn attended West Point, though at different times. Lee graduated in 1829 while Van Dorn graduated in 1842. Despite the gap, West Point’s reputation for forging lifelong professional and personal connections would have facilitated awareness and familiarity between the two men.
Their military careers further intersected during the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). Lee served as an engineer and gained recognition for his daring reconnaissance missions, while Van Dorn served in the 7th U.S. Infantry. Notably, Van Dorn participated in several key battles, including the Siege of Veracruz and the Battle of Mexico City. Both Van Dorn and Lee contributed to the American victory including two brevet promotions for Van Dorn for gallantry and three for Lee for his reconnaissance work and leadership in battle.
Texas and Early Confederate Service
Robert E. Lee and Earl Van Dorn served together as fellow officers in the Second United States Cavalry, where Lee served as Lieutenant Colonel and Van Dorn as a Captain.
Following the Mexican-American War, both men spent significant time in Texas together. Van Dorn led two victorious campaigns as Cavalry Commander in defense of the Cherokee against the Comanche and Lee accompanied Van Dorn in his punitive expedition into the Comanche heartland where Lee was dangerously wounded (Source: Texas Historical Association).
When the Civil War began, both men resigned their U.S. Army commissions to serve the Confederacy. Lee was initially appointed as military adviser to Confederate President Jefferson Davis, while Van Dorn was assigned to lead troops in Texas before being rapidly promoted to brigadier general.
Likely Encounters in Virginia
In 1861, Van Dorn was transferred to Lee’s home state of Virginia and he (Van Dorn) commanded the 1st Division of the Confederate Army of the Potomac. Lee was active in Richmond, VA at the time, serving directly under Davis. Given Lee’s advisory role and the relatively small size of the Confederate military at that early stage, it is highly likely that Van Dorn met with Lee, particularly during consultations on troop movements and strategy.
Additionally, Van Dorn was known to have met directly with Jefferson Davis on multiple occasions. As Davis relied heavily on Lee’s counsel, it is likely that Lee was present or involved in discussions regarding Van Dorn’s assignments.
After Holly Springs: A Possible Meeting?
Following Van Dorn’s famous Holly Springs Raid in December 1862, he effectively crippled Ulysses S. Grant’s supply lines and forced a major strategic withdrawal. This victory obviously drew the attention of Confederate leadership, including Lee. Given the importance of the raid, the interesting note that Van Dorn’s whereabouts was not disclosed at some points following the raid, and that some accounts have him going to Richmond, VA, it can be speculated that he may have met with Lee or at least communicated with him before his reassignment to Tennessee.
While no definitive record confirms such a meeting, the Confederate command structure often involved key commanders consulting with senior figures like Lee. In a war characterized by fragmented communications, direct discussions among generals were common, especially after significant victories.
Conclusion
The evidence shows that Robert E. Lee and Earl Van Dorn knew each other, both professionally and personally. Their shared service in the Mexican-American War, time spent in Texas, the detailed letters from Lee, and involvement in the early days of the Confederacy indicate a relationship of mutual respect. The possibility of a meeting following the Holly Springs Raid further underscores the interconnected nature of Confederate leadership. The circumstantial evidence makes it clear that Lee and Van Dorn were not only acquainted but likely conferred at pivotal moments during the Civil War.
When General Lee Surrendered
The surrender of General Robert E. Lee to General Ulysses S. Grant marked the end of the American Civil War and the effective conclusion of Confederate resistance. The event took place on April 9, 1865, at the McLean House in Appomattox Court House, Virginia.
General Lee, commanding the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, had been driven into a defensive position in Virginia by the superior resources and manpower of the Union Army. With his supplies depleted and his troops facing the prospect of starvation, Lee was forced to seek terms of surrender from General Grant.
The two generals met in the parlor of the McLean House to negotiate the terms of surrender. Despite the animosity between the two sides, the meeting was cordial and respectful. General Grant, who was widely known for his leniency towards Confederate soldiers, offered generous terms to General Lee and his troops, allowing them to retain their horses for spring planting and permitting officers to keep their side arms.
The surrender at Appomattox Court House effectively ended the Civil War and marked the start of a long and difficult process of reconciliation between the North and the South. General Grant’s generosity towards the defeated Confederate soldiers helped to ease tensions and set the stage for a peaceful transition to a reunified nation.
The surrender of General Robert E. Lee remains one of the most significant events in American history, and it continues to be remembered and celebrated as a symbol of national unity and reconciliation. The McLean House where the surrender took place is now a National Historic Park, and it remains an important site of pilgrimage for Americans of all backgrounds who seek to commemorate the end of the Civil War and the birth of a new nation.
Following the war, Lee became a symbol of reconciliation and a prominent advocate for reuniting the country. He encouraged his former soldiers to lay down their arms and to work towards rebuilding the nation. He also served as the president of Washington College, which was later renamed Washington and Lee University, and worked to rebuild the school and promote education in the South.
General Robert E. Lee remains one of the most revered figures in American history, despite the controversy surrounding his role as the commander of the Confederate army during the Civil War. He is remembered for his leadership, bravery, defense of his home state of Virginia, and his unwavering commitment to duty, as well as for his efforts to bring the country together after the devastating Civil War.