S.D. Lee received some due praise this week on the podcast. I read this older biography, General Stephen D. Lee by Herman Hattaway, of the general recently. Lee had a unique history in the war. He was on Beauregard's staff during the time of Fort Sumter and participated in the surrender negotiations with Major Anderson. After joining the famed Hampton Legion in his native South Carolina he became captain of artillery, rising through the artillery ranks serving in prominent roles at both Second Manassas and Antietam.
Following Antietam he went west ending up under Pemberton at Vicksburg, setup the defenses at Chickasaw Bayou and played a prominent role attempting to hold the critical crossroads at Champion Hill. Lee was one of a few generals to advise against surrender before Pemberton capitulated in July. After his parole he took command of cavalry in Mississippi with Forest ending up under his command. Given the prickly personality of Forrest, Lee appears to have gotten along with Forrest about as well as other senior leaders. This is a common theme with Lee that I took from the book. Lee was able to to work in multiple environments and get along reasonably well with both his subbordinates and his commanders, having served in artillery, infantry, and cavalry and been in both the Eastern and Western theaters. Ultimately rising to Lieutenant General and joining Hood's army in command of a Corps, Lee went through quite a rise through the ranks. The author describes Lee as "going about his job methodically and quietly." and this seems an appropriate description. Later in life Lee would also become superintendent of the Vicksburg National Military Park helping to preserve and protect the battlefield.