Throughout his distinguished career, Robert Edward Lee traveled to many places and was admired everywhere he went. From the state of New York down the eastern coast of the United States to Florida and then as far west as Texas and Mexico (Johnson vi), Lee left his imprint at all of the places. Although some states greatly affected Lee's life while other states left just a mere smudge, there was one state that was always dear to Lee's heart, the same place that Lee spent most of his life and almost all of the Civil War (Johnson xv). This place was Virginia; therefore, every decision of Lee, such as in the military, would serve his home state or, in the case of education, religion, and principles, would take roots from his home state.

First, it is well known that Robert E. Lee joined the Confederacy only for his...