[5] In May 1860, he was appointed instructor of cavalry tactics at the U.S. Military Academy, but resigned his commission after Virginia declared secession and alliance with the Confederacy at the beginning of the American Civil War.

However, during the subsequent Confederate raid on Catlett's Station, he captured the headquarters tent and dress uniform of U.S. Maj. Gen. John Pope.

After Chancellorsville, Lee was incapacitated by inflammatory rheumatism, missing a month of action, which included the significant cavalry operations at the Battle of Brandy Station.

He recovered in time to lead a brigade in Jeb Stuart's third ride around the U.S. Army, in the early days of the Gettysburg Campaign, with his most significant contribution being at the Battle of Carlisle.

Stuart's report singled out no officer in his command for praise except Fitz Lee, who he said was "one of the finest cavalry leaders on the continent, and richly [entitled] to promotion.

While fighting at Spotsylvania, Gen. Stuart was detached from the army to thwart U.S. cavalry commander Phillip Sheridan's raid on Richmond.

Fitzhugh Lee subsequently joined Early for his campaign against Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley, and at Third Winchester (September 19, 1864) three horses were shot under him, and he was severely wounded.

In 1885, he was a member of the board of visitors of West Point, and from 1886 to 1890 was governor of Virginia having defeated in 1885 Republican John Sergeant Wise with 52.77% of the vote.

[10] In April 1896, Lee was appointed consul-general at Havana by President Cleveland, with duties of a diplomatic and military character added to the usual consular business.

In this post, in which he was retained by President William McKinley until 1898, he was the first called upon to deal with a situation of great difficulty, which culminated with the destruction of the warship USS Maine.

He was military governor of Havana and Pinar del Río in 1899, subsequently commanded the Department of the Missouri, and retired in 1901 as a brigadier general, U.S.

[5] Lee was an early leader of the committee for the Jamestown Exposition, which was held after his death at Sewell's Point on Hampton Roads in 1907.