Full Name: Robert Edward Lee Born: January 19, 1807 Place of Birth: Westmoreland City, Virginia North or South: South Other Professions: Engineering duty, Mexican War, superintendent of West Point, 2nd Cavalry, commanded the forces that captured John Brown's body of men at Harper's Ferry, refused the offer of command of US forces at the outbreak of the War, resigned April 1861, President of Washington (later Washington and Lee) College. War Service Highlights: He commanded the Army of Northern Virginia until the surrender at Appomattox. Nickname: None Died: October 12, 1870 Place of Death: Lexington, Virginia Interesting Facts: He was known as the greatest of the Southern generals. Robert E. Lee was an idol to the Southerners. Lee always was ready to take the risks he had to. He was always energetic to attack or defend, whatever the challenge was.