Robert Edward Lee (January 19, 1807 â October 12, 1870) was an American general best known for his service to the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. Lee attended West Point and graduated second in his class of 1829. Lee did not incur any demerits during his four-year course of study, a distinction shared by five of his 45 classmates.
Lee distinguished himself in the MexicanâAmerican War (1846â1848). He was one of Winfield Scott’s chief aides in the march from Veracruz to Mexico City. He was instrumental in several American victories through his personal reconnaissance as a staff officer; he found routes of attack that the Mexicans had not defended because they thought the terrain was impassable.
He was promoted to brevet major after the Battle of Cerro Gordo on April 18, 1847. He also fought at Contreras, Churubusco, and Chapultepec and was wounded at the last. By the end of the war, he had received additional brevet promotions to lieutenant colonel and colonel, but his permanent rank was still captain of engineers, and he would remain a captain until his transfer to the cavalry in 1855.
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