In dealing with these men, and their relation to slavery, we pass from the domain of conjecture into the realm of fact.
Robert E. Lee never owned a slave, except the few he inherited from his mother—all of whom he emancipated many years prior to the war.[[220]]
"Stonewall" Jackson never owned but two slaves, a man and a woman, both of whom he purchased at their own solicitation. He immediately accorded to them the privilege of earning their freedom, by devoting the wages received for their services to reimburse him for the purchase money. This offer was accepted by the man, who, in due time, earned his freedom. The woman declined the offer, preferring to remain a servant in General Jackson's family.[[221]]
Joseph E. Johnston never owned a slave and, like General Lee, regarded the institution with great disfavor.[[222]]
A. P. Hill never owned a slave, and regarded slavery as an evil, much to be deplored.[[223]]
J. E. B. Stuart inherited one slave from his father's estate; and, while stationed as a lieutenant in the United States Army at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, purchased another. Both of these he disposed of some years prior to the war—the first, because of her cruelty to one of his children, and the second, to a purchaser who undertook to return the slave to his former home in Kentucky.[[224]]
Fitzhugh Lee never owned a slave.[[225]]
Matthew F. Maury never owned but one slave, a woman who remained a servant and member of his family until her death, some years after the war.[[226]] As we have seen, he characterized the institution as "a curse."[[227]]
| [216] | Slavery and Abolition, Hart, p. 67. |