Questions

After watching Young Washington, I became curious about George Washington’s family and learned something remarkable: Robert E. Lee married Mary Anna Randolph Custis, George Washington’s step-great-granddaughter through Martha Washington’s first marriage.

Washington had no biological children, but he helped raise Martha’s children and grandchildren, and his influence continued through the Custis family. Lee later lived at Arlington House, which had been built as a memorial to Washington and contained many of Washington’s belongings.

I believe Washington likely would have condemned Lee’s decision to fight against the Union. Washington was deeply loyal to Virginia and had served Virginia during the French and Indian War, but his later life was devoted to creating and preserving the United States. In his Farewell Address, he warned against sectional division, and during the Whiskey Rebellion he demonstrated that armed resistance to federal authority could not simply be tolerated.

Lee did not merely disagree with the federal government. He resigned from the United States Army and accepted command of forces fighting against the country Washington helped create.

Of course, no one can know with absolute certainty what Washington would have thought. Still, based on his writings, actions, and commitment to national unity, I believe he would have seen Lee’s choice to place Virginia above the Union as a tragic betrayal of the republic.

If a guy comes from old money and is ambitious and educated. Does that really appeal to women?