Robert E. Lee

In 1831, Robert Lee got married to Mary Anna Randolph Custis, while he was stationed at Fort Monroe. The couple had seven children together, three boys and four girls.

He died on 12 October 1870, at the age of 63, after suffering a stroke two weeks earlier.

Robert Edward Lee was born on 19 January 1807 in Westmoreland County, Virginia, to Major General Henry Lee III, also known as the ‘Light Horse Henry’, and his second wife, Anne Hill Carter. He belonged to the ruling class of Virginia, with several members of his family at powerful positions in the Virginian government. His father was the Governor of Virginia and one of his great grand parents was a prominent Virginian colonist.

Robert Lee attended school at Eastern View, Fauquier County and shifted to Alexandria Academy where he developed a liking for mathematics. In 1824, Robert Lee was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point, on the recommendation of his relative, William Henry Fitzhugh.

In 1825, Robert Lee started his study in American army at the West Point. The focus of the studies was on engineering, headed by the Army Corps of Engineers. He graduated with second position in his class, without incurring even a single demerit during his course of study.

In 1829, Robert Lee was ordered to build a fort on the marshy island of Cockspur, Georgia. The mission was unsuccessful and he was transferred to Fort Monroe, Virginia Peninsula.

In 1834, Robert Lee was transferred to Washington to assist General Gratiot. But, in 1835, he was transferred again to survey the southern border of Michigan, in order to be Andrew Alcott’s assistant.

In 1837, he supervised the engineering work at St. Louis harbor. He was promoted to the position of a captain because of his devotion and brilliance in work, over there. In 1842, Captain Robert Edward Lee arrived as Fort Hamilton’s post engineer.

From 1846 to 1848, he worked as a chief aid to Winfield Scott in the Mexican-American War. Due to his exceptional performance in the war, he was promoted as brevet major and with the course of time, received additional brevet positions, but his permanent rank was still the Captain of Engineers.