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
Philadelphia Freedom Paper
Is this document found in a flea market an original freedom paper for African-Americans?
-
Also with Tukufu Zuberi
Diana
How did this alleged lesbian autobiography escape censorship in the 1930’s?
-
Also in Season 3
Texas POW Camp
Was this small town in Texas the home of a WWII POW camp?
-
Related Investigation
Birthplace Of Hip Hop
Did this Bronx apartment building give birth to a culture that now spans the globe?
-
Also with Tukufu Zuberi
Atocha Spanish Silver
What are these markings on a silver bar discovered in the wreck of a Spanish ship?
-
Also in Civil War: 1850-1877
Civil War Submarine
Is this submarine an example of new technology developed by the Confederates during the Civil War?
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.