The Second Regiment of cavalry thus became the _corps d'elite_ of the United States Army; and, after Albert Sydney Johnston, Robert E.Lee was the ranking officer.
Lee proceeded with his regiment to Texas, remaining there for several years on frontier duty, and does not reappear again until 1859.
Such was the early career in the army of the soldier soon to become famous on a greater theatre--that of a thoroughly-trained, hard-working, and conscientious officer.

With the single exception of his brief record in the Mexican War, his life had been passed in official duties, unconnected with active military operations.

He was undoubtedly what is called a "rising man," but he had had no opportunity to display the greatest faculties of the soldier.

The time was coming now when he was to be tested, and the measure of his faculties taken in one of the greatest wars which darken the pages of history.
A single incident of public importance marks the life of Lee between 1855 and 1861.

This was what is known to the world as the "John Brown raid"-- an incident of the year 1859, and preluding the approaching storm.