[gloryblaze]

One article stated it was cut in half at Lee’s waist to facilitate transport of the large statue...

No, the flat base beneath the hooves was removed by grinding the bolts that held it to the massive base it stood on. The figure remained intact.

[VanShuyten]

Photo of the top half of the statue is here:

https://apnews.com/article/robert-e-lee-statue-virginia-removed-92955a351d9fda6319f379ddc28df8a0

The statue was taken down whole and then later cut in half.