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Wiliam Henry RooneyCavalryman of the Southern army
Date of Birth: 31.05.1837
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of William Henry Fitzhugh "Rooney" Lee
William Henry Fitzhugh "Rooney" Lee, the second son of General Robert E. Lee, was born on May 31, 1837, in Arlington, Virginia. He received his education at Harvard College, which he successfully completed in 1857. In the same year, he received the rank of Second Lieutenant in the 6th Infantry Regiment of the United States Army and participated in the campaign against the Mormons in Utah under the command of future Confederate hero Albert Sidney Johnston.
In 1859, William Henry Fitzhugh Lee retired from the army and engaged in farming on his White House farm. Prior to the start of the Civil War, as a fervent supporter of the Confederacy, Lee formed a cavalry company in January 1861 and played an active role in organizing a military unit that later became known as the legendary Army of Northern Virginia. In May, he was appointed Captain and shortly thereafter Major of the Confederate regular army and assumed the position of cavalry commander under General Loring. Lee performed well in the early campaigns, participating in positional battles in western Virginia.
In the winter of 1861-62, Lee was transferred to Fredericksburg, Virginia, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the 9th Virginia Cavalry Regiment. In March, he became a Colonel. His regiment became part of Stuart's cavalry brigade and participated in its operations during the Confederates' retreat from Yorktown to Richmond. Lee was with Stuart in the famous raid around McClellan's army and his regiment inflicted heavy losses on the Union cavalry on June 13 at Houseshop. In July, the Confederates began the formation of a cavalry division, and William Henry Fitzhugh Lee's regiment joined his cousin Fitzhugh Lee's brigade and took part in the 2nd Battle of Manassas (Bull Run), the offensive operations on the Washington front, and the invasion of Maryland.
In the rearguard battle at Turner's Gap, Lee's regiment repelled attacks by superior Union forces when his horse was killed under him. Lee himself was seriously injured and lay unconscious by the side of the road in plain view of the Yankees, narrowly avoiding capture. He managed to make his way back to his own lines in Sharpsburg, where he was greeted with open arms as if he had risen from the grave.
Commanding His Brigade
Subsequently, Rooney Lee skillfully commanded his brigade during the cavalry raid on Chambersburg and was at the forefront of Stuart's maneuver around McClellan's army. He was rightfully considered one of the most fearless and cool-headed Confederate officers, as he proved by demanding the surrender of the White's Ford crossing over the Potomac from superior Union forces, who were scared and handed over the crossing without a fight. He then ensured the safe return of Stuart's cavalry to Virginia by controlling the crossing. With the reorganization of the Confederate army in November, Lee was promoted to brigadier general and took command of a cavalry brigade consisting of the 5th, 9th, 10th, and 15th Virginia Cavalry Regiments, as well as the 2nd North Carolina Cavalry Regiment.
Lee actively used his brigade during the tactical operations preceding the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. He successfully engaged Pleasonton's forces during the Gettysburg Campaign, surprising the enemy with daring attacks at Fleetwood Hill and Brandy Station. At Brandy Station, William Henry Fitzhugh "Rooney" Lee was wounded in the leg. In Stuart's subsequent report, he noted Lee's "extremely satisfactory" command style and expressed the hope that Lee's injury would only briefly interrupt his brilliant performance of duties. However, while wounded and helpless, Rooney Lee was captured by the Federals and initially imprisoned at Fort Monroe, then transferred to Fort Lafayette until March 1864. After being exchanged as a prisoner and returning to active duty, Lee was promoted to major general and once again took command of a cavalry brigade.
In 1864, he participated in cavalry operations on the Rapidan and James Rivers, hindered Grant at Malvern Hill, intercepted Wilson's raid on the Weldon Railroad, commanded cavalry at Globe Tavern, and held the right flank of the Confederates at the Battle of Five Forks. During the retreat of the Army of Northern Virginia to Appomattox, Rooney Lee, together with Gordon, repelled Northern attacks on the Confederate rearguard.
Life After the War
After the defeat of the Confederacy, Major General William Henry Fitzhugh "Rooney" Lee returned to his plantation. He served as the president of the Virginia Agricultural Society for some time and was elected as a senator and three terms as a congressman representing the 8th Virginia District. He died in Alexandria on October 15, 1891.
