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I might finish this one day. (By "finish," I mean turn it into something prettier and shinier, lol) For now, just a series of sketches exploring the relationship between Robert E. Lee and Virginia.

I am definitely a diehard Unionist, as were all my ancestors (Independent Pennsylvania Militia ftw), but I still find Robert E. Lee fascinating from a historic perspective. I've visited his house in Arlington National Cemetery (that was part of the Federal Government's revenge on him; seize his property and bury their soldiers there) several times over the years, so I feel like I know even more about him than I do about say, Grant. I still dunno why I have such an extensive headcanon about this, lol.

So anyway, I picture him as having the hugest crush ever on Virginia, starting from when he was just a little kid. It's like...strictly a platonic sort of feeling; he puts her on a pedestal, treating her as almost like a goddess/on a another plane of existence, completely oblivious to her (numerous) faults. He will basically do anything she says, no matter how stupid. Sorry if the dialogue gets a little cheesy, lol.

First sketch: circa 1813. Robert is about 6 years old here. His family has been close with Elizabeth for generations, and they are one of the few entire families who know her true identity. Robert's paternal grandfather was Richard Henry Lee (dear 1776 fans: yes, THAT Richard Henry Lee, lol, although unfortunately I don't think he was quite such a ham in real life) His father was Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee, who left his wife and children while deeply in debt, then died in Georgia when Robert was just 11. Apparently Robert didn't like to talk much about his father, and I think it's pretty understandable why. The one person who never seemed to leave him was Elizabeth. Even when she wasn't there physically, he felt her presence everywhere around him, in every single tree and hill and stream. When he was with her, he never felt alone.

Virginia: "You're getting so big, little one."
Robert: "That's right; I'm almost 7! How old are you?"
Virginia: *Laughs* "Much older than you."
Robert: "Liz, why don't you look old?"
Virginia: *Smiles* "I guess that's one of God's little secrets. I was just born this way, I suppose."
Robert: "Will you ever get old?"
Virginia: "I don't know...maybe someday. But I think it might take awhile."
Robert: "When I'm old, you will still be beautiful, won't you?"
Virginia: *Chuckles* "You always flatter me so; that kind of attitude will get you a wife right quickly."
Robert: "A wife? But I don't want a wife, I love you!"
Virginia: "Oh little one, don't be silly. One day you will fall for a beautiful girl and that will be the end of such ridiculous talk."

Second sketch: circa 1831. Robert is about 24 years old and recently married to Mary Custis, the great-granddaughter of Martha Washington. Her father was reluctant to accept his proposal, considering the reputation of his disgraced father. Eventually, however, Mr. Custis consented and the two wed. Robert is rising up the ranks of the U.S. Army, having recently graduated second in his class at West Point. He is now a Lieutenant of Engineers, and his future as a soldier looks bright. He is still very close to Elizabeth, and fortunately his wife also knows her true identity (being Washington's granddaughter and all).

Virginia: "Remember what I told you when you were little? See, I was right."
Robert: "My dear, you are always right."
Virginia: "You are happy, I take it."
Robert: "More than anything. I love her dearly."
Virginia: "You look very sharp in that uniform. Make me proud, little one."
Robert: "Liz, please, we are the same age now!"
Virginia: "For one fleeting moment, my dear friend."
Robert: "And I still think you are beautiful...more beautiful than human words can describe."
Virginia: *Laughs* "Don't let your wife hear you say such things...I'll not have people talking on account of me."
Robert: *Blushes* "Oh, you know it's not like...it's different. You're different."
Virginia: "Sometimes, God forbid, I cannot tell the difference..."

Third sketch: circa 1848. Robert is about 40. By this point, Robert has distinguished himself as an able leader in the Mexican-American War and his career is in full swing. He was one of Winfield Scott's chief aides in the march from Veracruz to Mexico City and instrumental in several American victories. He and Ulysses S. Grant worked together and participated in many battles together. On the homefront, he now has seven children; three sons and four daughters.

Robert: "I have served with you with honor these many years, dear Virginia. I only pray that I will continue my service as long as the Good Lord sees fit."
Virginia: "You have served me well indeed."
Robert: "I promise you, my dear Virginia, I will remain yours forever, no matter what happens."
Virginia: "I trust that you will."
Robert: "Even as my body grows old and weary in lands far away, my heart beats strong for my Virginia. I promise I will always keep you safe from harm. My honor is yours."
Virginia: "'Tis a pleasure to call you a native son."

Fourth sketch: circa 1865. Of course we all know how Robert E. Lee's story ends. In 1861, he was asked by Abraham Lincoln to command the Union forces in defense of Washington, DC. He turned down the offer because Virginia had seceded, saying "I shall never bear arms against the Union, but it may be necessary for me to carry a musket in the defense of my native state, Virginia, in which case I shall not prove recreant to my duty." Soon after, he took up command of the Virginia state forces, winning many battles as a Confederate General but ultimately surrendering to the Union at Appomattox Courthouse in 1865. Being the sit of the Confederacy's capital, Virginia saw the most battles and generally bore the brunt of the Union army's actions. By 1865, Richmond had been under siege for months, and the city finally fell in April. As retreating soldiers left, they were ordered to burn supply lines and munitions, resulting in the destruction of much of the city. This was just the final blow for Virginia on the long long road to the Union's restoration.

Virginia isn't dead, obviously, but he is terrified that she is dying.

Robert: "Virginia...I'm so sorry...I'm so sorry...I failed you. I promised I would keep you safe. I devoted my life to you...now you will hate me. You can hate me now. You who I have always loved, I have failed so terribly. I'm so sorry...you are hurt, and I couldn't protect you. But that's why it had to end, don't you see? You know that it had to end...you are hurt, dying. I had to end it. I will die a man disgraced, but you will live on, your honor will live on. Now you find a way to heal, and perhaps one day your soul will be whole once more without that burden which weighed upon it for so many years."

Other random things:
-Virginia's outfits were way too much fun to draw. I am convinced that half the reason I love state personifying so much is having an excuse to draw gorgeous period dresses.
-This was also kind of an exercise on aging, to see if I could draw the same person at many different ages. I even tried to age Virginia a little bit; from 1812 to 1865, because she really does grow up a lot during that time (in relative terms anyway).
-In the last sketch, Virginia's hair is cut short from her Polly Oliver days in the army.
-Referenced all of these poses from classical paintings. Fun fun fun.

Description
I might finish this one day. (By "finish," I mean turn it into something prettier and shinier, lol) For now, just a series of sketches exploring the relationship between Robert E. Lee and Virginia.

I am definitely a diehard Unionist, as were all my ancestors (Independent Pennsylvania Militia ftw), but I still find Robert E. Lee fascinating from a historic perspective. I've visited his house in Arlington National Cemetery (that was part of the Federal Government's revenge on him; seize his property and bury their soldiers there) several times over the years, so I feel like I know even more about him than I do about say, Grant. I still dunno why I have such an extensive headcanon about this, lol.

So anyway, I picture him as having the hugest crush ever on Virginia, starting from when he was just a little kid. It's like...strictly a platonic sort of feeling; he puts her on a pedestal, treating her as almost like a goddess/on a another plane of existence, completely oblivious to her (numerous) faults. He will basically do anything she says, no matter how stupid. Sorry if the dialogue gets a little cheesy, lol.

First sketch: circa 1813. Robert is about 6 years old here. His family has been close with Elizabeth for generations, and they are one of the few entire families who know her true identity. Robert's paternal grandfather was Richard Henry Lee (dear 1776 fans: yes, THAT Richard Henry Lee, lol, although unfortunately I don't think he was quite such a ham in real life) His father was Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee, who left his wife and children while deeply in debt, then died in Georgia when Robert was just 11. Apparently Robert didn't like to talk much about his father, and I think it's pretty understandable why. The one person who never seemed to leave him was Elizabeth. Even when she wasn't there physically, he felt her presence everywhere around him, in every single tree and hill and stream. When he was with her, he never felt alone.

Virginia: "You're getting so big, little one."
Robert: "That's right; I'm almost 7! How old are you?"
Virginia: *Laughs* "Much older than you."
Robert: "Liz, why don't you look old?"
Virginia: *Smiles* "I guess that's one of God's little secrets. I was just born this way, I suppose."
Robert: "Will you ever get old?"
Virginia: "I don't know...maybe someday. But I think it might take awhile."
Robert: "When I'm old, you will still be beautiful, won't you?"
Virginia: *Chuckles* "You always flatter me so; that kind of attitude will get you a wife right quickly."
Robert: "A wife? But I don't want a wife, I love you!"
Virginia: "Oh little one, don't be silly. One day you will fall for a beautiful girl and that will be the end of such ridiculous talk."

Second sketch: circa 1831. Robert is about 24 years old and recently married to Mary Custis, the great-granddaughter of Martha Washington. Her father was reluctant to accept his proposal, considering the reputation of his disgraced father. Eventually, however, Mr. Custis consented and the two wed. Robert is rising up the ranks of the U.S. Army, having recently graduated second in his class at West Point. He is now a Lieutenant of Engineers, and his future as a soldier looks bright. He is still very close to Elizabeth, and fortunately his wife also knows her true identity (being Washington's granddaughter and all).

Virginia: "Remember what I told you when you were little? See, I was right."
Robert: "My dear, you are always right."
Virginia: "You are happy, I take it."
Robert: "More than anything. I love her dearly."
Virginia: "You look very sharp in that uniform. Make me proud, little one."
Robert: "Liz, please, we are the same age now!"
Virginia: "For one fleeting moment, my dear friend."
Robert: "And I still think you are beautiful...more beautiful than human words can describe."
Virginia: *Laughs* "Don't let your wife hear you say such things...I'll not have people talking on account of me."
Robert: *Blushes* "Oh, you know it's not like...it's different. You're different."
Virginia: "Sometimes, God forbid, I cannot tell the difference..."

Third sketch: circa 1848. Robert is about 40. By this point, Robert has distinguished himself as an able leader in the Mexican-American War and his career is in full swing. He was one of Winfield Scott's chief aides in the march from Veracruz to Mexico City and instrumental in several American victories. He and Ulysses S. Grant worked together and participated in many battles together. On the homefront, he now has seven children; three sons and four daughters.

Robert: "I have served with you with honor these many years, dear Virginia. I only pray that I will continue my service as long as the Good Lord sees fit."
Virginia: "You have served me well indeed."
Robert: "I promise you, my dear Virginia, I will remain yours forever, no matter what happens."
Virginia: "I trust that you will."
Robert: "Even as my body grows old and weary in lands far away, my heart beats strong for my Virginia. I promise I will always keep you safe from harm. My honor is yours."
Virginia: "'Tis a pleasure to call you a native son."

Fourth sketch: circa 1865. Of course we all know how Robert E. Lee's story ends. In 1861, he was asked by Abraham Lincoln to command the Union forces in defense of Washington, DC. He turned down the offer because Virginia had seceded, saying "I shall never bear arms against the Union, but it may be necessary for me to carry a musket in the defense of my native state, Virginia, in which case I shall not prove recreant to my duty." Soon after, he took up command of the Virginia state forces, winning many battles as a Confederate General but ultimately surrendering to the Union at Appomattox Courthouse in 1865. Being the sit of the Confederacy's capital, Virginia saw the most battles and generally bore the brunt of the Union army's actions. By 1865, Richmond had been under siege for months, and the city finally fell in April. As retreating soldiers left, they were ordered to burn supply lines and munitions, resulting in the destruction of much of the city. This was just the final blow for Virginia on the long long road to the Union's restoration.

Virginia isn't dead, obviously, but he is terrified that she is dying.

Robert: "Virginia...I'm so sorry...I'm so sorry...I failed you. I promised I would keep you safe. I devoted my life to you...now you will hate me. You can hate me now. You who I have always loved, I have failed so terribly. I'm so sorry...you are hurt, and I couldn't protect you. But that's why it had to end, don't you see? You know that it had to end...you are hurt, dying. I had to end it. I will die a man disgraced, but you will live on, your honor will live on. Now you find a way to heal, and perhaps one day your soul will be whole once more without that burden which weighed upon it for so many years."

Other random things:
-Virginia's outfits were way too much fun to draw. I am convinced that half the reason I love state personifying so much is having an excuse to draw gorgeous period dresses.
-This was also kind of an exercise on aging, to see if I could draw the same person at many different ages. I even tried to age Virginia a little bit; from 1812 to 1865, because she really does grow up a lot during that time (in relative terms anyway).
-In the last sketch, Virginia's hair is cut short from her Polly Oliver days in the army.
-Referenced all of these poses from classical paintings. Fun fun fun.