General robert e. lee general robert e. lee and many other southern military commanders had been educated at the u. s. military academy at west point, and had pledged allegiance to the united states, before joining the confederate army. many northerners saw them as: and many other southern military commanders had been educated at the u. s. military academy at west point, and had pledged allegiance to the united states, before joining the confederate army. many northerners saw them as: a. traitors who needed to be punished, with prison or executed b. brave warriors who would be in the future to the u. s. c. representatives of a defeated nation who needed to retire.