I am reading the book "the Lee Girls" by Mary P. Coulling. Robert E. Lee seemed to really Love and care for his kids and wife. I am wondering why then when he went of to the civil war did he not take them with him or at least station some men to protect them? Why did he leave them so close to Washington DC ? I always assumed that he did not care to much about them but the opposite seems true.
He did tell them to move But it seemed they were on their own to wonder around.
I am just curios to the thinking process of that time period where a man in charge of an army could leave a bunch of "his" women wondering around the country side.
2007-01-19 05:25:38 · 4 answers · asked by DDLynn l 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
http://www.bookideas.com/reviews/index.cfm?fuseaction=displayReview&id=1922 Go to this site to read a summary of the life of Mary Custis Lee, the wife of Robert E. Lee. You will find she was a very strong woman in her own right and probably would not have liked being treated otherwise. She also moved away from the family home which is now Arlington Cemetery because she was forced out by Union forces. Having severe bouts with arthritis/rheumatism, she also traveled to areas in VA where she could use the baths that were believed to be curative or at least soothing for her condition. In this book you will find that she was constantly doing as much for the troops as she could, even knitting socks when R.E.L. would write to her of their need. She was protected by soldiers during the time she lived in Richmond, VA, but resisted it constantly. Mrs. Lee was also accustomed to being left to maintain the household at Arlington since Lee had spent much time as a military man since his graduation from West Point. This book is well worth reading if you wish to know more about her.
2007-01-19 08:16:45 · answer #1 · answered by whatever 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
War was not made upon women and children.
In the Civil War if your family was caught, after a battle, behind enemy lines the forces who controlled the area would send a flag of truce into the others lines and arrange for the family to be passed over to safety. But until that time your family was a guest of the commanding general. Most time people tried to get out of the way of the war.
This could also be used against the attacker by keeping civilians in a city that was under siege, ie Vicksburg and Atlanta, after the besiegers had allowed time for the civilians to leave. That was a small part that Sherman planned his March to the Sea.
2007-01-19 14:35:40 · answer #2 · answered by redgriffin728 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mary Custis Lee was as safe as any woman in the South. She wasn't just Mrs. Robert E. Lee, she was the granddaughter of Martha Washington. People looked out for her.
Robert E. Lee believed in sacrifice and duty. He went where he had to, when he had to, as he had to. He did not believe in the sacrifice of others while his own enjoyed protection either. All his sons served. His youngest son served as a private on a gun crew, and risked his life like everyone else.
If you really want to understand the man, read "Lee, the Last Years," by Charles Flood.
2007-01-19 10:50:32 · answer #3 · answered by rblwriter 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably since Lee was so celebrated as a general, he was sure his side wouldn't lose.
2007-01-19 05:30:17 · answer #4 · answered by redunicorn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋