Did Robert E. Lee own slaves?

Answer 1

Yes, he had 196 slaves.

Answer 2

no he didn't he was against slavery nobody knows that because they want to make the civil war all about slavery even though (in my opinion) it was really about tax and voters rights only 30% of people lived in the south but they paid 80% of the tax and 94% of the south didn't own slaves but people want to make the south look bad Robert E. Lee likely would have been the 2nd president of the CSA and would have outlawed slavery although there is no basis in fact for my conjecture.

Answer 3

Yes, Lee owned his own slaves through inheritance from his mother in addition to those that his wife, Mary Custis Lee owned on their Arlington plantation. Mary's father, George Washington Parke Custis, had ordered his slaves freed upon his death in 1857, provided that the estate was deemed financially sound, or by no later than five years afterward. Lee argued in court that Arlington required its slaves for that full five years. He also personally directed whippings of runaway slaves and hired out slaves, including boys and girls, to other landowners.

Answer 4

Yes. He inherited many slaves from his father-in-law, who had promised them that they would be freed on his death. Unfortunately the old man had not explained that it would take a couple of years to process the will.

So Lee inherited some very angry and rebellious slaves, who kept claming their freedom. His punishments were said to be quite brutal, but he was doing what he considered necessary to maintain order. As executor of the will, he was not in a position to free the slaves until probate was granted.

Answer 5

As statement of fact, Robert E. Lee set free his slaves (not more than a half dozen) at the early stage of Civil War.

Indeed he wrote to his wife in 1856, approximately as follows:

"The slavery as an institution, is both a moral and political evil for all countries. It is useless dwelling upon its drawbacks aspects. I do think, however, that the slavery

be a worse calamity for the white race than for the black race, and whilst my feelings are greatly in favour of the latter, my sympathy are much more in favour of the first.

The emancipation (of the slaves) will be more rapid thanks to the gentle and progressive action of Christianity rather than through the fury of the fierce dissension."

Answer 6

No, he didn’t. Despite a previous comment that defamed the character of Robert E. Lee by not only falsely accusing him of having slaves but

Answer 7

no, he was a confederate general No, He was a soldier in both the US Army and the Confederate Army.

Answer 8

No, Robert E. Lee was a general for the confederacy. The confederacy was fighting FOR slavery.

Answer 9

Yes, he had 196 slaves.

Answer 10

Yes, he came from a long line of wealthy plantation owners. Not only that, but even by the standards of his day, Lee was considered a harsh master.

He not only owned and inherited slaves, but took slaves freed in his former father in laws will to court to prevent them from being emancipated for an additional five years, meaning that he was personally responsible for enslaving men.

For more on this please see the American civil war museum.