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He was important.

Lee wore only the three star insignia of a Confederate colonel, which was the highest rank he had earned in the US Army before the civil war began. He wanted to receive a peacetime promotion to general after the Civil War was one, assuming it would be the Confederates that were the victors.

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Q: Why did Robert E. Lee wear colonel insignia while he was a general?
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What rankings in the military did Robert E. Lee hold?

Robert E. Lee progressed through the ranks from Second Lieutenant, 1829, to Colonel, 28 March 1861, while serving in the United States Army. Within a few weeks of that final promotion, Lee was offered the position of Major General, 18 April 1861, but he turned that down, and resigned his US Army commission, 20 April 1861. Lee accepted an offer from the CSA to take command of the defense of Virginia, 23 April 1861, and was one of the first five people to be named as a full General by the CSA, not long after. Even though he was appointed as a full General, and later, 31 January 1865, named the General-in-Chief of Confederate Forces, Lee refused to wear anything but the insignia of a Colonel, three stars, until the CSA had won the war and he could be properly appointed as a General, during peace time.


What Confederate general was asked to lead the Union army?

General Robert E. Lee. He was asked by President Abraham Lincoln if he would command the Union forces but he declined, with much difficulty, saying that he could not fight against his state, Virgina. While Robert E. Lee was still a colonel in the US Army, it's clear he was offered a commanding position in the Union army, however, the actual US general making this offer was probably Winfield Scott. Nevertheless, President Lincoln would have approved of this. Also, Lee's position in the Confederate army at first was a minor commission. Later he would advance and become the leading, most highly regarded Confederate general.


Why did general Ulysses S. Grant fight general Robert e lee?

Because he told Sherman to destroy the Army of Tennessee, while he himself would attend to the Army of Northern Virginia.


Where was General Lee's greatest victory?

In May 1863, Genral Robert E. Lee fought and defeated the Unions Army again in Chancellorsville, by splittting his army and delivering a flanking attack on the Unions army while General Robert E. Lee's army was outnumbered two to one. This is said to be his greatest victory.


Did Juan Seguin fight in the Alamo?

He had been sent by Colonel Travis to General Sam Houston, asking for help. Houston ordered Captain Seguin to remain with the army while they gathered strength to give battle to the Mexicans.

Related questions

What is Cadet lieutenant colonel?

Very basically speaking, the difference is one step in rank. While a Lt. Colonel is normally referred to a Colonel, a Colonel is sometimes to referred to as a "full bird colonel" to distinguish the difference. In the Army at least, a Lt. Colonel wears a clover leaf rank insignia (silver, I think) but a full Colonel wears an eagle insignia, hence the reference "full bird."


Which is higher a major or a colonel?

Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) is a higher rank than 1st Lieutenant (1LT). LTC is a fairly senior rank, while 1LT is a junior officer. In the US Army, (commissioned) officer ranks from lowest to highest are: Second Lieutenant First Lieutenant Captain Major Lieutenant Colonel Colonel Brigadier General Major General Lieutenant General General General of the Army (AKA "five star general" - this rank was only awarded to WWII era generals like MacArthur and Eisenhower) In the US Army, junior officers (Second Lieutenant - Captain) are referred to as company grade officers, while Majors-Colonels are referred to as field grade. General officers are also known as "flag officers" because they're entitled to fly a personal flag with their rank insignia on it.


What rankings in the military did Robert E. Lee hold?

Robert E. Lee progressed through the ranks from Second Lieutenant, 1829, to Colonel, 28 March 1861, while serving in the United States Army. Within a few weeks of that final promotion, Lee was offered the position of Major General, 18 April 1861, but he turned that down, and resigned his US Army commission, 20 April 1861. Lee accepted an offer from the CSA to take command of the defense of Virginia, 23 April 1861, and was one of the first five people to be named as a full General by the CSA, not long after. Even though he was appointed as a full General, and later, 31 January 1865, named the General-in-Chief of Confederate Forces, Lee refused to wear anything but the insignia of a Colonel, three stars, until the CSA had won the war and he could be properly appointed as a General, during peace time.


Was Custer a general or colonel during the Battle of Big Horn?

Custer was a colonel during the Battle of Little Big Horn, as a regiment is normally commanded by a colonel, while a general commands multiple regiments. I think the confusion over Custer's rank is because during the Civil War he was promoted to brevet general (sort of a temporary general, promoted in the field). After the war Custer got himself in some trouble and was demoted back to colonel, and he never rose to the rank of general again.


Are kernel and colonel synonyms antonyms or homophones?

"Kernel" and "colonel" are homophones, meaning they sound the same but have different meanings. "Kernel" typically refers to the softer, edible part of a seed or nut, while "colonel" is a military rank above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general.


He was Attorney General of the US under his brother He was killed while running for President himself?

Robert F. Kennedy


Was general e Lee famous?

Robert E. Lee was probably the best General during that time period. He worked with coal and turned it to gold. The Souths most influential leader was Robert E. Lee while that North had Abraham Lincoln.


What is the Marine Corps rank structure?

* General * Lt. General * Maj. General * Brig. General * Colonel * Lt. Colonel * Major * Captain * 1st Lt. * 2nd Lt * WO1 * CWO2 * CWO3 * CWO3 * CWO4 * CWO5 * Sgt. Major/Master Gunnery Sgt * First Sgt/Master Sgt. * Gunnery Sgt * Staff Sgt * Sgt * Corporal * Lance Corporal * Private First Class * Private * Recruit (not a rank, but status while in boot camp)


What did Robert Kennedy fight for?

Robert Kennedy was the Attorney General in his brother John's administration, and then was assassinated while running for President. He is remembered more for the lost potential of what he might have done, than he is for what he actually did.


What is the homonym for 'colonel'?

The homonym for "colonel" is "kernel." Both words are pronounced the same but have different meanings - "colonel" refers to a military rank, while "kernel" refers to the softer, usually edible part of a seed or nut.


What is an army major insignia?

For the US Army, it's a bronze oak leaf. The same insignia is used by Majors in the Air Force and Marine Corps, and by those holding the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the Navy and Coast Guard while wearing certain uniforms.


What Confederate general was asked to lead the Union army?

General Robert E. Lee. He was asked by President Abraham Lincoln if he would command the Union forces but he declined, with much difficulty, saying that he could not fight against his state, Virgina. While Robert E. Lee was still a colonel in the US Army, it's clear he was offered a commanding position in the Union army, however, the actual US general making this offer was probably Winfield Scott. Nevertheless, President Lincoln would have approved of this. Also, Lee's position in the Confederate army at first was a minor commission. Later he would advance and become the leading, most highly regarded Confederate general.