When Virginia withdrew from the Union , Lee resigned his commission rather than assist in suppressing the insurrection. His resignation was two days following the offer of Chief of Command of U.S. forces under Scott. He then proceeded to Richmond to become Commander-in-Chief of the military and naval forces of Virginia . When these forces joined Confederate services, he was appointed Brig. Gen. in the Regular Confederate States. Lee's Stratford Hall home is where this tree grows.