Gray Cavalier: The Life and Wars of General William H. F. "Rooney" Lee - Hardcover

Daughtry, Mary

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0306811731 ISBN 13: 9780306811739

Publisher: Da Capo Press, 2002

Synopsis

William Henry Fitzhugh Lee, called "Rooney" by his family, was born the second son of the famous commander and general of the Confederacy, Robert E. Lee. After graduating from Harvard, Rooney planned to take up farming on his family's plantation. When the Civil War broke out, however, he immediately volunteered and was commissioned a captain in the Confederate cavalry. During the war years, he was quickly promoted on his talents -his famous father was careful not to interfere in his son's promotion track. Rooney Lee earned a reputation for bravery and effective command at Gettysburg and Chancellorsville. He was wounded at Brandy Station and shortly after was captured by Federal raiders and placed in prison. After his release in a prisoner exchange, he was promoted to the rank of major general-the youngest man in the Confederacy to hold this rank. By the war's end, he was one of the highest-ranking cavalry commanders in the Confederate army.There has been no study of the military career and accomplishments of this important Confederate commander-until now. Using previously unavailable material from the Lee family archives, this new biography presents a balanced appraisal of one of the South's most important commanders.

About this title

About the Author:

Mary Daughtry has been teaching for thirty-three years in North Carolina. She has been a contributor to Blue & Gray magazine, as well as Saddle & Bridle and National Horseman.

Review:

"A biography that fills a void in Civil War history." -- Journal of Southern History May 2004

"Daughtry handles the details of Rooney Lee's life skillfully...Revealing and informative...Useful and important." -- Civil War News May 2004

"Revealing and informative...A useful and important addition to the available literature on the Lee family and the Confederate cavalry." -- The Civil War News March 2004

About this edition

• Publisher: Da Capo Press
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0306811731
• ISBN 13: 9780306811739
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 384