Robert Edward Lee
Robert Edward Lee was Born On Jan.19, !807. Lee grew up in poverty in Alexandria, Virginia. He was appointed to West Point in 1825 and graduated in 1829 due to his excellent academic record. Lee married Mary Ann Randolph in 1831. Randolph was actually Martha Washington’s great granddaughter. Lee had a large diversity in assignments sconce he was commissioned into the Corps of Engineers in 1829. For example, he helped with construction, worked at many military posts, and helped a lot with river and harbor improvements at St. Louis. Promotion was slow though, and Lee did not become a captain until 1838. During the Mexican War, Lee was an engineering officer with Winfield Scott’s force that fought all the way to Mexico City. Lee’s marvelous work earned him praise and reputation (a good one). Lee was a Southern moderate, so he was dismayed when he heard about the extremists on both sides of the War. Even then, he felt he had to keep loyal to his state, and won many of the battles for the Confederates. He died on Oct. 12, 1870.