Friday, November 27, 2020

Lincoln's Trip to City Point, 1864-- Part 6: Meeting With Butler and Lee

At the time of Lincoln's visit to City Point, it was becoming apparent that the general's effort to take Petersburg quickly was going to end up as a siege and so the general was quite busy overseeing this so he couldn't devote full time to entertaining the President.  As such, his staff stepped in and plans were made for other visits with high ranking officers and the troops.

General Benjamin Butler, commander of the Army of the James,  and Acting Vice Admiral Samuel P. Lee, commander of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, were informed that Lincoln would be visiting them as well.

A picture of S.P. Lee accompanied the article and a quick glance of it made me think I was looking at Confederate General Robert E. Lee.  And, of course, there was the name.  Could Robert and Samuel be related?

Turns out, S.P. Lee was a third cousin to Robert E. Lee.

Another indicator of how divisive the war was.  here are cousins fighting on opposite sides.  And, S.P. Lee was born in Virginia, but chose to fight for the Union.

Small World.

--Old B-Runner


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