General Robert E. Lee's decline

As the southern states first began to secede, President Lincoln asked Colonel Robert E. Lee to command the entire Union army against the Confederacy. Lee is regarded as one of the greatest generals and his efforts towards stopping the South would have made this war completely different. However, he declined the offer. He felt that his duty was to his home in the southern state of Virginia. He then became one of the Unions greatest challenges in the war. This shows the American culture of loyalty. He remained loyal to his home. Many people in the war fought for the ideals of whichever side that they were on, but many also stayed where they were to defend what they had.