LEE, ROBERT EDWARD

(1807-70), American soldier. Born in Str at ford, ington, Va. The son of General Henry Lee who was known in the Revolution as ‘Light Horse Harry.’ He graduated from West Point in 1829 second in his cla . In June 1831 he married Mary Randolph Custis a great-granddaughter of Washington’s wife. A igned to the engineer corps he was stationed at Hampton Roads, 1829-34, a istant to the chief engineer U.S.A. at Washington, 1834-37: in charge of the work of improving the Mi i ippi river at St. Louis 1837-41. Promoted captain 1838 military charge of Fort Hamilton, New York Harbor, 1841-46. In 1846-47 during the Mexican war he was on General Scott’s staff and fought with distinction in all battles from Vera Cruz to Mexico City. He was promoted major at Cerro Gordo, lieut.-colonel, and then colonel, after Chapultepec. In 1849-1852 he was engaged in construction work at Fort Carroll; superintendent of West Point 1852-56: and in 1860 in command of the Department of Texas. In 1859 while on leave of absence at Arlington he commanded the U.S. troops who captured John Brown at Harper's Ferry. After Texas seceded he was ye called to Washington. His position when the Civil War began was a difficult one. A slave holder he believed that slavery was an evil, but that eventually ié would be done away without resort to arms. Above ail he resented outside interference and disliked Abolitionists. He loved the Union, but honor demanded that he remain faithful to his state. In April 1861 Lincoln offered him command of the army of invasion which he declined and a few days later sent in his resignation. On April 22 he a umed command of the troops of Virginia and May 25 was appointed brigadier general in the Confederate Army. He had confidential relations with Jefferson Davis and advised him in military matters. He personally led Confederate troops in the mountains which are now @ part of West Virginia, but accomplished little because of poor subordinates. In 1862 Davis appointed him to direct ali the Confederate armies. At Richmond he was succe ful in operations against McClellan and after General J.E. Johnston was wounded at Seven Pines he took command, on June 1, 1862, of the Northern Army of Virginia which he continued to lead throughout the war. In a seven days battle, June July 1862, he checked McClellan’s operations at Richmond and August 29-30 defeated Pope in the second battle of Bull’s Run. Invading Maryland he was halted at Antietam September 1617, and forced acro the Potomac by McClellan. Taking up a strong position on the hi by Fred ericks burg he shattered Burnside’s attacks May 3-4, 1863. At Chancellorsville he defeated Hooker, and with the arrival of fresh troops began the invasion of Pennsylvania, planning to conquer the Army of the Potomac, capture Washington, and soend the war. But Meade defeated him at Gettysburg and he was forced back into Virginia. The campaigns against Grant, 1864-65 wore down the Confederate armies, while the Union troops were constantly reinforced. He finally surrendered at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. He was appointed President of Washington College, Lexington, Virginia, in August 1865, and held the office until his death. General Lee left an imperishable name as one of the greatest soldiers of the Civil War, if not one of the greatest in military history.