Answer:
General Robert E. Lee crossed over the Potomac River into Maryland during the American Civil War in 1862, as part of the Confederate Army's first invasion of the North. Lee's primary objective was to win a major military victory on Northern soil, which he hoped would convince European nations to recognize the Confederacy and provide military support. Lee also hoped that a successful invasion would demoralize the Union and undermine support for the war effort among Northern civilians. Additionally, by threatening Washington, D.C., Lee sought to divert Union troops away from Virginia and gain a strategic advantage.
Step-by-step explanation: