Mary Custis Lee's Note, And A Polite Reply Before History Vanished In Flames

[JPK Huson 1863]

Anyone ever notice how much Mary Custis Lee looked like her grandmother? I'm not sure we follow her at all well. Mary Randolph Custis Lee was our history- we never hear a thing about her being Martha Washington's granddaughter. There's been a lot written of her, generally associated with the Civil War, nearly always Arlington and the Lees- not much on what a chaotic, tough war this woman had. Really, almost nothing about with what grace she moved through it. The White House was yet another home gone, one, more loss as the war seemed to chase her through those years.

Please no one point out what an awful war it was for other women, and worse if we're forced into comparison. It becomes a discussion on who deserves the dignity of having suffered. Creates some ridiculous competition and an ability to recognize any of them is lost.

 

[James N.]

... Please no one point out what an awful war it was for other women, and worse if we're forced into comparison. It becomes a discussion on who deserves the dignity of having suffered. Creates some ridiculous competition and an ability to recognize any of them is lost.