A day late, but…
While some may reflect on various aspects of the lives of Lee and Jackson, on their day, here in Virginia, I’d dare say that the heaviest focus is likely on their lives during four years of war, yet while hardly giving time to consider the complexities of family ties caused for the decisions at the beginning of the war.
For me, one of those complexities offers an opportunity to consider just how deep Southern Unionism went. That’s right; Lee and Jackson had something quite interesting in common, in that they had sisters who were devout Unionists.
I’ve touched briefly on Jackson’s sister, Laura Jackson Arnold, before… of course it’s interesting that her Unionism even impacted the relationship with her husband, Jonathan Arnold.
Anne Kinloch Lee Marshall, a sister of Robert E. Lee, was also a Unionist… and it was quite clear to the future Confederate general, as he prepared a letter to his sister informing of his decision to resign from the U.S. Army…
Arlington, Virginia
April 20, 1861Mrs. Anne Marshall
Baltimore, MarylandMy Dear Sister:
I am grieved at my inability to see you. I have been waiting for a more convenient season, which has brought to many before me deep and lasting regret.
Now we are in a state of war which will yield to nothing. The whole South is in a state of revolution, into which Virginia, after a long struggle, has been drawn; and though I recognize no necessity for the state of things, and would have forborne and pleaded to the end for redress of grievances, real or supposed, yet in my own person I had to meet the question whether I should take part against my native State.
With all my devotion to the Union, and the feeling of loyalty and duty of an American citizen, I have not been able to make up my mind to raise my hand against my relative, my children, my home. I have, therefore, resigned my commission in the Army, and save in defense of my native State (with the sincere hope that my poor services may never be needed) I hope I may never be called upon to draw my sword.
I know you will blame me, but you must think as kindly as you can, and believe that I have endeavored to do what I thought right. To show you the feeling and struggle it has cost me I send you a copy of my letter of resignation. I have no time for more. May God guard and protect you and yours and shower upon you everlasting blessings, is the prayer of
Your devoted brother,
R. E. Lee
Despite her brother’s decision, she still recognized him for his military talents, once noting that she doubted the Federals “can whip Robert.”
In fact, Anne’s son, Louis Henry Marshall, found himself on the staff of one of those Union officers who tried to “whip” Lee… albeit General John Pope didn’t have what it really took to bring Lee down.
Louis was a graduate of West Point (1849), and spent his early years in “Indian Territory”. During his time there, he married Florence Murray Burke, at Ft. Washita, in 1854. Entering the Civil War as a captain, at some point, Louis secured a position as aide-de-camp for Pope… something that bothered Robert E. Lee, greatly. Lee noted, “I’m sorry to find him in such bad company”, and, “I could forgive [him] for fighting against us, but not his joining Pope.” Interestingly, Louis just missed getting “bagged” by his first cousin, Rooney Lee, during the Second Manassas campaign. Louis rose from captain to colonel, by the end of the war.
Sadly, there’s nothing much about any wartime exchanges, if any existed, between Anne and her brother, Robert, and, with her death in 1864, the siblings’ families grew further apart. After the war, when Anne’s widow husband, William, joined Louis in his move for California, it’s said that Lee sadly remarked that he heard nothing further from the Marshalls.
It was indeed a war of divided families, with divided sentiments, even going so deeply as to intimately touch the personal lives of two Confederate icons.
The pension index card for Col. Louis Henry Marshall.
Cenantua's Blog 
Richard Williams
January 15, 2012
Robert – I believe the record also reveals that Lee and Jackson themselves were both loyal Unionists as well.. The calling for Southern states to send troops swayed their opinions, as did Virginia’s chosen course.
Robert Moore
January 15, 2012
Welllll, I don’t know that I’d use the word “also” and “loyal Unionists” in the same sentence when considering the generals together with their sisters. There’s a need to distinguish levels of Southern Unionism. I’d put their sisters in the “unconditional Unionists” column, while Lee and Jackson were “conditional”. Then too, there were other classifications as well… such as “circumstantial Unionism”.
Richard Williams
January 16, 2012
I don’t really believe anyone’s loyalty is “unconditional” when it comes to governments. At some point, we all have our limits. But back to Lee and Jackson – I don’t think there’s any question about their loyalty to the Union – PRIOR to Lincoln’s calling for troops. They had both served the Union with valor in the Mexican war.
Remember, the Union was only about 75 years old at the time the WBTS broke out. Virginia had been a political entity for over 250 years and both Jackson and Lee had deep roots in Virginia. It’s easy to see where (and why) their primary loyalty would lie. I think our 21st century view of loyalty, patriotism, etc differs quite a bit in perspective from that of Virginians in 1861.
Robert Moore
January 16, 2012
My use of “unconditional” is in the past tense sense, and within the context of the Civil War. As demonstrated, there were, apparently, no conditions that made them abandon their hold on the Union, and become Confederates. Were there conditions that other Southern Unionists faced that the sisters did not, and would that have broken their interests in remaining Unionists? Perhaps, but, again, as demonstrated, the war ended and it appears that no conditions/circumstances were presented to them that made them decide otherwise.
“I don’t think there’s any question about their loyalty to the Union – PRIOR to Lincoln’s calling for troops. They had both served the Union with valor in the Mexican war.”
I didn’t suggest in any way that their record prior to Lincoln’s call for troops reflects a lack of loyalty to the United States, however, following that call, they demonstrated just how far that Unionism went. As I mentioned, they were conditional in their Unionism. What they did in Mexico was then and there. Later, however, they reached a point that they believed they could no longer be a part of that Union, and took action on it. Their sisters did not share the same sentiment.
“Remember, the Union was only about 75 years old at the time the WBTS broke out. Virginia had been a political entity for over 250 years and both Jackson and Lee had deep roots in Virginia. It’s easy to see where (and why) their primary loyalty would lie. I think our 21st century view of loyalty, patriotism, etc differs quite a bit in perspective from that of Virginians in 1861.”
I’m quite aware of the number of years the US was in existence by the time the war opened, and am equally aware that their roots were deep. Still, I am also aware that there were Virginians whose roots were just as deep, who did not decide as Lee and Jackson did. This has nothing to do with our views of loyalty today, but is demonstrated fact from the time of the war.
Richard Williams
January 16, 2012
“whose roots were just as deep, who did not decide as Lee and Jackson did.”
Agreed. Perspectives varied then just as they do now. Our opinions and loyalties are shaped by many factors and, of course, can evolve over time. Thanks for posting my comments. Hope all is well in Westview.
Robert Moore
January 16, 2012
Thanks for commenting. All is well in this area… albeit my days are numbered here. Moving to the lower end of the Valley over the next few months.
Richard Williams
January 17, 2012
Closer to home?
Robert Moore
January 17, 2012
Closer to my job; the commute is killing me… although it does indeed put me in closer range to my home county.
Mike Simons
January 24, 2012
Well done Richard, the war is way more complex than most realize. It was a great human tragedy. The past 2 years of off and on study has really broadened my view of this historical event. It is sad that even today’s war on Terror has split some families.