Was General Robert E Lee's slave wife from Africa?

Answer 1

General Lee did not have a slave wife, nor did he own any slaves. Gen. Grant owned 3 slaves. The photo of one of them is displayed at Appomatox Manor Battlefield Park in Hopewell VA.

(From new respondent) This may be a reference to Lee's wife's father (Custis), who owned many slaves. Custis had gained popularity with these slaves by promising them that they would be freed on his death. Unfortunately he did not explain that they were classified as property in his will, and that they would have to wait until the will was administered, which would take a couple of years.

Lee was executor of the will, and had to cope with the slaves, who were feeling swindled and rebellious. His disciplining of them (in some cases, with the whip) has been criticised as brutal, though it is possible to see it as necessary.

Like many respectable Southerners, Lee appeared to believe (conveniently?) that slavery was a God-given provision, and that God would bring it to an end when He saw fit.