Extract from Biographical Register of the Officers & Graduate of the U. S. Mil. Academy at West Point, N. Y. by Bvt. Maj. Genl. George W. Cullum Col., Corps of Engrs. U. S. Army
Member 1829 Class Rank
542 (Born Va) Robert E. Lee (ap’d Va) 2
Military History Cadet at the U. S. Military Academy from July 1 1825, to July 1, 1829 when he was graduated & promoted in the Army to
Bvt. Second Lieut. Corps of Engineers,
July 1, 1829.
Second Lieut. Corps of Engineers,
July 1, 1829.
*Served: as Asst. Engineer in the construction of Fts. Monroe & Calhoun, for the Defense of Hampton Roads, Va., 1829-34; as assistant to the Chief Engineer, at Washington, D.C., 1834-37; as Asst. Astronomer for establishing
(First Lieut, Corps of Engineers, Sept. 21, 1836)
the Boundary between the States of Ohio & Michigan, 1835; as Superintending Engineer of the improvement of St. Louis harbour, Mo., & of the Missouri & Upper Mississippi Rivers, 1837-41, having general Charge of the improvement of
(Capt, Corps of Engineers, July 7, 1838)
the lower Mississippi, & of the Ohio River, below Louisville, Ky., 1840-1841, & of the construction & repairs of the defenses at the Narrows entrance to New York harbour, 1841-1844, 1844-46; as member of the board of Visitors to the Military Academy, 1844; as assistant to the Chief Engineer at Washington D.C., 1844; as member of the Board of Engineers for Atlantic Coast defences, Sept 8, 1845, to March 13, 1848; in the war with Mexico, 1846-1848, being engaged on the march towards Chihuahua, as Chief Engineer of the Column Commanded by Brig. Gen. Wool, 1846, -Siege of Vera Cruz, March 9-29, 1847-Reconnaissance, April 15-17, & Battle of Cerro Gordo,
Bvt. Major, April 18, 1847, for gallant & meritorious conduct in the Battle of Cerro Gordo, Mexico.
April 17-18, 1847-Reconnaissance through the Pedregal, Aug. 18-19, 1847, Battle of Contreras, Aug. 19-20, 1847, Reconnaissance of Coyoacan, Aug. 20, 1847, Battle of Churubusco, Aug. 20, 1847, Battle of Molino
Bvt. Lieut. Col., Aug. 20, 1847, for gallant & meritorious conduct in the Battles of Contreras & Churubusco, Mex.
del Rey, Sept 8, 1847, Reconnaissance of the approaches to the City of Mexico, Sept. 9-13, 1847; storming of Chapultepec, Sept 13, 1847, where he was wounded, and assault & capture of the city of Mexico, Sept. 13-14, 1847; on
Bvt. Colonel, Sept. 13, 1847, for gallant Meritorious Conduct in the Battle of Chapultepec, Mex.
Special Duty in the Engineer Bureau at Washington D.C., 1848; as Superintending Engineer of the construction of Ft. Carroll, Patapsco River, Mo., 1848-1852; as member of the Board of engineers for Atlantic Coast defenses, July 21, 1848, to April 11, 1853; as Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy, Sept. 1, 1854, to march 31, 1858, in command at Jefferson Barracks, Mo.
Lieut Colonel 2d Cavalry,
March 3, 1855
1855; on frontier duty at Camp Cooper, Tex., 1856, Expedition against Camanche Indians, 1856, - Camp Cooper, Tex., 1856-57, San Antonio, Tex. (Commanding Regiment) 1857; on leave of absence, 1857-59; in command of the forces at Harper’s Ferry, for suppressing John Brown’s raid, Oct. 17-25, 1859; in command of the Department of Texas, Feb 6 to Dec. 12, 1860; and
Colonel 1st Cavalry,
March 16, 1861
on leave of absence, 1860-61
Resigned, April 25, 1861.
Joined in the Rebellion of 1861-1866 against the United States.
*From the Fall of 1829 to the Spring of 1831, he was on duty at Cockspur Island, Savannah river, in the construction of Fort Pulaski. In the Spring of 1831, he went to Fortress Monroe &c.
Source: Robert E. Lee Headquarters Papers, Folder 29, Mss3 L 515a, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2017 February 15
