The Case:
A retired school principal owns a beautiful, antique and rare "Greiner" doll.
Pinned to its dress is a note saying the doll once belonged to a former slave of the legendary Confederate General Robert E. Lee.
1861: the eve of the American Civil War. U.S. Army Colonel Robert E. Lee makes a fateful decision to resigns his commission to take command of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. For four million African-American slaves his quitting the Union means that Lee will spend the next four years defending the indefensible: the slave-holding south.
Our contributor's grandson joins History Detectives to help his grandmother uncover the true story behind the doll and its legacy and explore the complex and intriguing story behind General Lee's relationship with slavery.
Related Content
Feature:
Feature:
Related Links
Explore
-
Related Investigation
John Brown Pike
How did this metal blade spark violent tension between the North and the South?
-
Related Investigation
Chandler Tintype
How did this Civil War era tintype help re-ignite a fiery debate about African Americans bearing arms for the confederacy?
-
Also with Tukufu Zuberi
Mystery Crystal Cross
Where did this mysterious religious relic discovered in an old Spanish mission originally come from?
-
Also with Tukufu Zuberi
Lubin Photos
What do these photo albums reveal about the birth of the silver screen?
-
Also with Tukufu Zuberi
Carson Family Secrets
Is this book a Carson family heirloom?
-
Also in Season 3
Jim Thorpe Ticket
Is this ticket evidence of a chapter of Thorpe's career forgotten by history: as a professional basketball player?
Comments
This is a place for opinions, comments, questions and discussion; a place where viewers of History Detectives can express their points of view and connect with others who value history. We ask that posters be polite and respectful of all opinions. History Detectives reserves the right to delete comments that don’t conform to this conduct. We will not respond to every post, but will do our best to answer specific questions, or address an error.