Signed Robert E Lee CDV by E & H. T. Anthony. Robert E. Lee entered the United States Military Academy in 1825 and graduated second in the class of 1829. On May 13, 1846, the United States declared war on Mexico. Between March and September 1847, Lee served on the staff of Winfield Scott during a campaign that ended with the capture of Mexico City. Lee impressed superiors throughout these operations and won brevet promotions to major, lieutenant colonel, and colonel. On April 18, the day after Virginia seceded, Lee was offered command of the United States Army being raised to put down the rebellion. He declined, with the explanation that he opposed secession but could not take the field against the southern states. “Save in the defense of my native State,” Lee wrote to General in Chief Winfield Scott, “I never desire again to draw my sword.” Lee submitted his letter of resignation from the U.S. Army on April 20 (after five days of processing in the War Department, it became official on April 25) and on April 22 accepted appointment as major general of Virginia’s state forces. After Virginia joined the Confederacy on May 7, Lee was commissioned a brigadier general in the Confederate army on May 14 and promoted to full general on August 31 as the rebellious slaveholding republic’s third-highest ranking officer. General Grant and General Lee met at the village of Appomattox Court House on April 9 and agreed to terms of surrender that put an end to the Civil War. Plagued by various physical ailments during the postwar years, Lee suffered a stroke on September 28 and died on October 12, 1870. This item comes with a letter of authenticity issued by Guaranteed Forensic Authenticators along with the GFA guarantee of authenticity.

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