Robert E. Lee resigns from the Union Army, joins the Confederate Army (apr 17, 1861 – apr 23, 1861)
Description:
On April 17 (there is some confusion on the specifics of this date), Lee is offered command of the Union Army. Torn between choosing for his home state of Virginia, or the army he has given the best years of his life to, he ultimately chooses his home state. "I cannot raise my hand against my birthplace, my home, my children." ("The U.S. Civil War 1861 - 1865", 1996).
Lee resigns from the Union Army on April 20, 1861, and assumes command of Virginia's Confederate forces on April 23, 1861 ("Robert E. Lee", 2018).
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