Short answers, pulled from the story.
Robert Edward Lee was born at Stratford Hall Plantation in Westmoreland County, Virginia on the 19th of January 1807. His father Henry Lee III suffered severe financial reverses from failed investments and was put in debtors' prison.
Young Robert delivered a letter to United States Secretary of War John C. Calhoun before entering West Point in the summer of 1825. He graduated second in his class behind Charles Mason who resigned from the Army a year later without incurring any demerits during four years of study.
Lee courted Mary Custis whom he had known since childhood while home in summer 1829. They wed on the 30th of June 1831 after she accepted with parental consent during summer leave following her refusal of his first marriage proposal.
Lee distinguished himself as chief aide to Winfield Scott marching Veracruz to Mexico City by finding routes Mexicans had not defended thinking terrain impassable. Promoted brevet major after Battle Cerro Gordo the 18th of April 1847 he fought Contreras Churubusco Chapultepec wounded last engagement.
Union attack Petersburg succeeded the 2nd of April 1865 leading Lee to abandon Richmond retreat west make attempt escape southwest join Joseph E Johnston Army Tennessee North Carolina soon surrounded surrendered Grant the 9th of April 1865 Battle Appomattox Court House other Confederate armies followed suit war ended day after issued Farewell Address army resisted calls officers reject surrender allow small units melt away mountains setting lengthy guerrilla war insisted war over energetically campaigned inter-sectional reconciliation rejoiced slavery abolished believed greatly interests South.