Fitzhugh Lee, nicknamed "Fitz," descended from the distinguished lineage of the Virginia Lee's: He was the grandson of Henry "Light-Horse Harry" and nephew of General Robert E. After graduating from West Point, Fitz served in the U.S. Army until the Civil War broke out, when he joined the Confederate cavalry forces. At twenty-seven, he was promoted to general and commanded with distinction at Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. After he was severely wounded in 1864 (after having three horses shot out from under him), he returned to service and was promoted chief of the Confederate cavalry corps. He was with his uncle, Robert E. Lee, at the surrender ceremonies in April 1865. Fitz Lee's postwar career was varied and colorful-governor of Virginia, commander of U.S. Volunteers in the Spanish-American War, postwar occupation commander in Cuba, retired hero, and author of numerous works of military history and biography.Acclaimed Civil War author Edward Longacre has combed family records, West Point cadet files, and the National Archives to produce this classic of military biography.
