Special Sub-Topic: The Marble Man Click Here To Play: The Marble Man

Robert E. Lee, also known to history as "The Marble Man," was born on January 19, 1807 at Stratford Hall, located in what Virginia county?

Westmoreland County. Robert Edward Lee was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He was the fourth of five children born to Henry "Light-Horse Harry" and Ann Hill (Carter) Lee.

In 1825, Robert E. Lee obtained a place at the United States Military Academy at West Point. During his four years of education at the Academy, how many demerits did the young cadet receive?

None. Lee proved to be an exceptional student at West Point. His hard work and diligence payed off and he graduated second in his class in 1829, becoming the only cadet to have never earned a single demerit in the history of the academy, earning him the nick-name "The Marble Man." He was commissioned a second lieutenant of engineers and thus began his military career.

On June 30, 1831 Lee married Mary Ann Randolph Custis and they ultimately had seven children. Mary Custis was distinguished in her relation to which Founding Father of America?

George Washington. Mary Custis was a great-granddaughter of Martha Washington, wife of George Washington. Mary's father, Washington Custis, was the adopted son of George Washington, The Lees inherited Arlington House after Mary's father passed away and made their home there until the Civil War began.

Lee held the post of Chief Engineer of the Army at the beginning of the Mexican War. As a result of his skill as an engineer and his conduct as a soldier, Captain Lee was repeatedly brevetted for bravery during the conflict, ending the war with the rank of brevet Colonel. How many times was Lee promoted during the "War of Manifest Destiny?"

3. Shortly after the war began, Lee was moved to General Winfield Scott's staff. Distinguishing himself at the battles of Vera Cruz and Chapultapec, General Scott said Lee was "the very best soldier I ever saw in the field."

For three years Lee was posted back to West Point. In what capacity did he serve at the Academy?

Superintendent. From 1852 to 1855 Robert E. Lee was placed in charge of the Academy he attended some 23 years before.

In 1859, as tensions between North and South escalated, Lee was ordered to Harper's Ferry, Virginia to subdue an isolated, attempted slave insurrection led by what outspoken abolitionist?

John Brown. On October 18, 1859, Colonel Robert E. Lee, commanding a detachment of U.S. Marines, crushed John Brown's slave insurrection at Harper's Ferry. Also under Lee's command was Lieutenant J.E.B. Stuart, who would become a promising Confederate general in just a few years. Out of the 22 rebels, five escaped, ten were killed, and seven (including Brown) were captured. Brown was hanged for his part in the raid on December 2, 1859.

On April 20, 1861 Robert E. Lee resigned his commission from the Unites States Army after more than 30 years of military service. Why on earth did he do such a thing?

Virginia, his native state, seceded from the Union. Though Mary did have continual health problems, and at times the stress of soldiering took its toll, Lee's resignation from the U.S. Army was a direct result of Virginia's siding with the Confederate States. A reluctant Lee wrote to his sister, "... save in the defense of my native state ... I hope I may never be called on to draw my sword ..."

Shortly before Lee left the Army, he was recommended by General Winfield Scott to command the Union forces in the field in the upcoming war. To which Union leader did General Scott make this recommendation?

President Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln asked General Scott's advice on the best candidate to command the troops in the struggle, and Scott recommended Lee. Most likely, Lee would not have left the Army if Virginia stayed had in the Union, as that was the deciding factor.

From the summer of 1862 to the end of the Civil War, Robert E. Lee commanded the Army of Northern Virgina - eventually rising to the rank of general and commander of all southern forces. As the war ended in the defeat of the Confederate armies, how many troops did Lee surrender at Appomattox Court House in Virginia?

28,381. On April 9, 1865 28,381 officers and men were all that was left of the once vaunted Army of Northern Virginia, all surrendered at Appomattox Court House. Lee's men were later paroled and allowed to return to their homes owing to generous terms from General Grant. The war was not yet over, as other Confederate armies had yet to be defeated.

After the war Lee, a civilian for the first time since attending West Point, was offered the presidency of a small Virginia college. Accepting the offer in 1865, at which institution of higher learning did he serve as president?

Washington College. Also known as Washington Academy in 1865, the school was founded by Scotch-Irish immigrants in 1749 as Augusta Academy, in 1776 trustees changed the name to Liberty Hall Academy. After a $20,000 donation from George Washington in 1796 to Washington Academy (or College), and finally to Washington and Lee University after Lee passed away on October 12, 1870.