Lee Enters the United States Military Academy

He entered the United States Military Academy in 1825 and became the first cadet to achieve the rank of sergeant at the end of his first year.

When he graduated in 1829 he was at the head of his class in artillery and tactics, and shared the distinction with five other cadets of having received no demerits during the four-year course of instruction. Overall, he ranked second in his class of 46. He was commissioned as a brevet second lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers.

In 1825, Robert received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. He was 18 years old. Jefferson Davis was also a cadet. Davis would become the President of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War.