Brief history:  Before gaining fame as America’s most beloved general in the American Civil War, Robert E. Lee was a US Army career military man.  During his gallant service during the Mexican War, the young Lee did not sport his familiar white beard, but his familiar hair style can be seen in photo.  He was about 39 with brown hair at the start of the Mexican War in 1846.  Lee's participation in the Mexican War began with the march toward Chihuahua, as Chief Engineer of the column commanded by Brigadier- General Wool, 1846. He was engaged in the Siege of Vera Cruz, March 9-29, 1847; on Reconnaissance, April 15-17 and engaged in the Battle of Cerro Gordo, April 17-18, 1847 for which he won a brevet to Major, April 18, 1847, for gallant and meritorious conduct.  Lee was on Reconnaissance through the Pedregal, August 18-19, 1847; engaged in the Battle of Contreras, August 19-20, 1847; on Reconnaissance of Coyoacan, August 20, 1847; in the Battle of Churubusco, August 20, 1847. Lee was breveted to Lieutenant Colonel, August 20, 1847, for gallant and meritorious conduct at the Battles of Contreras and Churubusco.  Lee was next engaged in the Battle of Molino del Rey, September 8, 1847; on Reconnaissance of the approaches to the City of Mexico, September 9-13, 1847; at the Storming of Chapultepec, September 13, 1847, where he was wounded; and engaged in the Assault and Capture of Mexico City, September 13-14, 1847. He was breveted to Colonel, September 13, 1847, for gallant and meritorious conduct in the Battle of Chapultepec. Sometime later Winfield Scott called Lee: "the very best soldier that I ever saw in the field".

Figure sculpted based on early portraits of a young Robert E Lee: