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The excited and frustrated young Robert E. Lee

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  • The excited and frustrated young Robert E. Lee

    Robert E. Lee's love letters to and from his fiancee Mary Custis have been published in the latest Virginia Magazine of History and Biography Vol. 115, No. 4, 2007.

    The fifteen letters range from 1830-31 and are mostly those that Lee wrote to his fiancee but a few are from her mother and Miss Custis herself.

    The letters include statements that may not be how we imagine the Lees but remember at this time they were both in their early 20s.

    A letter from Mary Custis dated September 20, 1830 noted how she wished for Lee. (page 516)

    November 11 1830, Lee noted his love sickness wishing his intended could "be with me in that dark, confimed and crowded little cabin." (page 520)

    Most interesting in a May 13th 1831 letter he wrote to Mary that if he could not get a furlough he would "take it. For I declare I cannot wait any longer. And He [the General] & his Uncle Sam may go to--France--For what I care." (page 540)

    The letters were found in the Mary Custis Lee trunk which had been deposited by the general's daughter in an Alexandria bank and was discovered in 2002. The letters are now in the Virginia Historical Society's collection.
    Sincerely,
    Emmanuel Dabney
    Atlantic Guard Soldiers' Aid Society
    http://www.agsas.org

    "God hasten the day when war shall cease, when slavery shall be blotted from the face of the earth, and when, instead of destruction and desolation, peace, prosperity, liberty, and virtue shall rule the earth!"--John C. Brock, Commissary Sergeant, 43d United States Colored Troops

  • #2
    Re: The excited and frustrated young Robert E. Lee

    Dear Mr. Dabney ,
    Thanks for the post on Lee , I am sure it will help humanize the image of the "Marble Man !" Now for the Braxton Bragg love letters !
    all for the old flag ,
    David Corbett
    Dave Corbett

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: The excited and frustrated young Robert E. Lee

      Em:

      My membership to the VHS proved itself, once again, with the arrival of their quarterly. The letters do provide a wonderful glimpse. Glad they were not burned.
      Ley Watson
      POC'R Boys Mess of the Columbia Rifles

      [B][I]"The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely the one who dropped it."[/I][/B]

      [I]Coach Lou Holtz[/I]

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      • #4
        Re: The excited and frustrated young Robert E. Lee

        Now for the Braxton Bragg love letters !
        Not THAT's entertainment!
        Michael Comer
        one of the moderator guys

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        • #5
          Re: The excited and frustrated young Robert E. Lee

          I am glad you enjoyed those excerpts and yes VHS membership is essential for me. As much as I went to the VHS and as a lover of my home state I must be a member. Sometimes the Virginia Magazine is kinda drone on subjects but generally it is wonderful. In my time of membership I've really enjoyed the Episcopal Church in Virginia volume and this current one on Lee and Mary Custis Lee's love letters.
          Sincerely,
          Emmanuel Dabney
          Atlantic Guard Soldiers' Aid Society
          http://www.agsas.org

          "God hasten the day when war shall cease, when slavery shall be blotted from the face of the earth, and when, instead of destruction and desolation, peace, prosperity, liberty, and virtue shall rule the earth!"--John C. Brock, Commissary Sergeant, 43d United States Colored Troops

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: The excited and frustrated young Robert E. Lee

            Originally posted by Jubilo View Post
            Dear Mr. Dabney ,
            Thanks for the post on Lee , I am sure it will help humanize the image of the "Marble Man !" Now for the Braxton Bragg love letters !
            all for the old flag ,
            David Corbett
            The problem here is that Braxton Bragg's love letters might well have been addressed to
            Braxton Bragg! A man who can argue with himself . . .
            Your most obedient servant and comrade,
            James C. Schumann
            Mess #3
            Old Northwest Volunteers

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