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 > > To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions > at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html -- Paul Finkelman Chapman Distinguished Professor of Law University of Tulsa College of Law 3120 East 4th Place Tulsa, OK 74104-3189 phone 918-631-3706 Fax 918-631-2194 e-mail: [log in to unmask] To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html