Framed Robert E. Lee by John Elder

Robert E. Lee by John Elder is a well-known portrait of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, who commanded the Army of Northern Virginia during the American Civil War. Politically a moderate, strongly attached to the Union, and with no special sympathy for the institution of slavery, Lee watched with growing anxiety as the lower South seceded from the Union and formed the Confederate States of America. When Virginia left the Union, Lee made the most difficult decision of his life. His old friend and mentor General Scott offered him principal command of the United States Army. But Lee maintained his conscience would not allow him to bear arms against his native Virginia. He submitted his resignation and traveled to Richmond where he was named commander-in-chief of the military and naval forces of Virginia.