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Lee (ROBERT EDWARD an Amer- EDWARD)

ROBERT EDWARD, an Amer- House, Westmoreland co., Va., Jan. 19, 1807. He States Military Academy in 1829, and was graduated at United entered the United States army as 2d lieutenant, becoming 1st lieutenant in 1836, and captain two years later. In 1846 Lee was appointed engineer-in-chief to the United States army in Mexico; was brevetted major in April of that conduct at the battle of Cerro Gordo"; lieutenant-colonel in August, 1847, for distinguished bravery in the actions of Contreras and Churu- ; and colonel (Sept. 13, 1847), for eminent services at Chapultepec. After the close of the war Colonel Lee was reappointed a member of the United States Board of Engineers, and in 1852 was made superintendent of West Point Military Academy , which he held till March, 1855, when he was appointed lieutenantcolonel of cavalry colonel of cavalry. In 1861 he received but resigned his commission within a month afterward, and offered his sword fered his sword to his native State, Virhad just seceded from the Union, and was then threatened by the National forces.

His offer promptly accepted, Colonel Lee was ap- National forces. His offer being pointed commander-in-chief of the Virwith the rank of general in conduct ademy in 1829, and States army as 2d g 1st lieutenant in two years later. In ted engineer-in-chiet tes army in Mexico: for in April of that the battla lierten el in distinguished bravery Contreras and Churu (Sept. 18, 1847), for Chapultepec. After Colonel Lee was reof the United States and in 1852 was of West Point Milihe held till March, appointed lieutenant 1861 he received resigned his commisterward, and ofnative State, Vir eded from the reatened by the being el Lee was apof of the Vir offer the rank of general in aston AL when RICHARD HENRY LEE