Lee came from a long line of slaveowners and was one himself at the start of
the war.  If he was in the process of manmitting his slaves, why didn't he
finish the process. I assume, however, there are people more familiar with
Lee's life than I am who can deal with the specifics of his slaveholding.

Richard Dixon wrote:

> " the officer
> corps, on the otherhand, was made up to the sons of great slaveowners, or
> great
> slaveowners themselves. They were clearly fighting for their way of life."
>
> This is an interesting comment. Robert E. Lee, who immediately springs to
> mind, as executor of his father in law's estate, was in the process of
> manumitting the slaves at Arlington at the time Virginia voted to secede.
> Are there references to the slave holding status of the Confederate officer
> corps?
>
> Richard Dixon
>
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