ROBERT E. LEE

THE FUTURE CONFEDERATE COMMANDER WHOSE TALENTS CONTRIBUTED TO TWO AMERICAN VICTORIES IN MEXICO 1807-70 UNITED STATES

“THIS VERY ABLE SOLDIER FIRST PROVED HIS ABILITY FIGHTING FOR THE USA IN MEXICO AND HIS RECORD THERE WAS HIGHLY DISTINGUISHED”

As commander of the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War, Lee won many famous battles against superior Union armies. This very able soldier first proved his ability fighting for the USA in Mexico, and his record there was highly distinguished.

Lee graduated second in his class at West Point in 1829 and entered Mexico in October 1846 as a staff engineer. He was greatly trusted by Winfield Scott, who appointed him as his chief engineer.

Lee displayed great initiative on campaign and discovered a route that could outflank the Mexicans at the Battle of Cerro Gordo. This discovery resulted in a US victory, and Lee performed a similar feat through a dangerous lava bed at Churubusco. He was also present at the Battle of Chapultepec, where he was wounded, and ended the war as a highly respected brevet lieutenant colonel. Like Ulysses S. Grant, Lee’s time in Mexico was an important experience in developing his leadership and combat skills.

Lee pictured as a brevet lieutenant colonel c.1850. Ulysses S. Grant met Lee for the first time in Mexico, and reminded him of the fact at their fateful meeting at Appomattox Court House in 1865