National Park Service Arlington House U.S. Department of the Interior The Robert E. Lee Memorial The Spectacle From the Office Down the Hall Convergence As you read this, it is entirely possible that you may feel—just a niggling hint—that you have read this article before somewhere. As Yogi Berra said in one of my favorite quotes: “It’s déjà vu all over again!” which seems to be a side effect of working at a historic place. I think one of the oddest things about history, and the study and discussion of history (as we do here at Arlington House), is this recurring sense of repeating history, historical coincidence and even historical convergence, the meeting of past events in Robert E. Lee’s or Custis’ life with stories on the radio as we drive to work or, in my case this month, my upcoming vacation to Portland, Oregon. In unrelated work, Newsweek reporter Stephen Levy and NPR reporter Steve Inskeep investigated coincidences. They Old Amphitheater - Memorial Day 2005 found that mathematicians claim it is all our own fault, that people seek order from chaos coincidentally, seems to describe a lot of entirely possible for the universe where the and form coincidences from false patterns historical research, too). But no one could Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company that do not intrinsically exist. Dr. Temple figure out how it all worked together. That is, began on July 4th, 1828 (inspiring The Rail Grandin, an expert in animal behavior who is until there was M-String Theory. Road, perhaps the best play by Custis) to sit, also autistic, suggested the same thing when in parallel fashion, alongside ours where I she said that most people do not see the Explaining String Theory is a bit like telling will take a train from Seattle to see fireworks obvious world as it is because they are your wife why the new home theater system this coming Independence Day. And is it seeking larger patterns—something animals is a good thing when you only went to Sears merely coincidence that Custis’ first play, and autistic people apparently do not do. for a $100 TV. There are lots of remote Indian Prophecy, an apparently appalling controls and pixels involved that made work that nonetheless served as an There is, of course, another possible perfect sense when the salesman was talking, important inspiration to the American explanation: M-String theory. Einstein but the finer points escape you later. There theater, premiered on the Fourth of predicted how the cosmos worked with his are 10, or maybe 11 (or in some versions 26) July…1827, exactly one hundred years before Theory of Relativity and helped lay the dimensions in the world according to String Heisenberg scratched his head? It was also in groundwork for sub-atomic behavior that Theory (not just the 3 or 4 comfy ones we 1827 that mathematician Augustin-Louis later theorists developed into Quantum normally associate with toast and waiting in Cauchy, a common household name today, Mechanics (Heisenberg, a founder of line at the DMV), not-to-mention a plethora developed the “calculus of residues” which Quantum Mechanics, developed the of parallel universes. In String Theory it is (continued on page 6) “uncertainty principle” in 1927, an idea that, Volunteers Monthly Newsletter - Volume VI, Number 7 - July 2005 Significant Historic Events in July Mid- July, 1837 inaugurated a tradition of Forth of July probably attended the funeral service with Lt. Lee traveled to St. Louis to supervise the celebrations at Arlington Spring. A large his family at Mount Vernon. clearing of the Mississippi harbor there. His number of guests were invited to take dinner traveling companion and subordinate on the at a long table in the shade of the Washington July 17, 1853 project was Second Lieutenant Montgomery war tents. Custis would usually speak on Robert E. Lee and his daughters Mary and C. Meigs, a recent West Point graduate. On some aspect of the struggle for freedom Annie, kneeling together at the altar rail, the way, Lee stopped in Baltimore to see the around the world. In 1825, Custis spoke were confirmed at Christ Church [Episcopal] Washington war tents and other Arlington about Lafayette, who was continuing his tour by Bishop John Johns. Lee had a religious relics at the museum to which Mr. Custis had of the nation after having visited Arlington upbringing, but he had not joined the loaned them. the previous January. He praised Simon church. Though there “ is nothing to Bolivar, the liberator of South America. But indicate any spiritual upheaval” in Lee’s life, July 1-3, 1863 most of his speech concerned the it is probable that the Mexican War and the (Battle of Gettysburg) independence for Ireland of which he was a recent death of Mrs. Custis “bought the great On July 1, victory went to the confederates, consistent proponent. questions of faith closer to him.” Lee was 46 who held the town when Lee arrived. years old, Mary eighteen and Annie fourteen. Despite Lee’s wish, Cemetery Hill was not July 7, 1804 attacked and opportunity was lost. George Washington Parke Custis, 23, and July 21, 1861 Mary Lee “Molly” Fitzhugh, 16, were (First Battle of Manassas: Bull Run) On July 2, Lee ordered Longstreet’s corps to married in the Fitzhugh town house on The first major battle of the Civil War was a attack the United States Army’s left, but Oronoco Street, Alexandria. The Saturday Confederate victory. United States forces Longstreet opposed the plan, and there were evening ceremony was performed by the Rev. under Gen. Irvin McDowell—who had made delays. Confederate attacks were not Mr. Davis, who had officiated at the wedding his headquarters at Arlington—were routed properly coordinated, and United States of Nelly and Lawrence Lewis five years and fled back to Washington and their troops held Little Round Tip. Yet at the end before and who had comforted Martha encampments on the Arlington Estate. Lee, of the day neither army had made any Washington as she lay dying. who was serving as military advisor to appreciable gain. President Davis, remained in Richmond at July 10, 1829 Davis’ command. But a fourth of the On July 3, Lee attempted a massive attack on Ann Hill Carter Lee, mother of Robert E. victorious army had been raised and put in Meade’s center, the infamous Pickett’s Lee, died at Ravensworth. Her son had the field at Lee’s direction, and he had a large Charge. The assault was a disastrous failure. nursed her in the last illness and was at her hand in fashioning the strategy that made As the Confederates retreated, Lee could say side when she died. He then cared for Nat, victory possible. only, “All this has been my fault.” Nearly one an elderly house slave left by his mother to third of the Confederates’ 65,000 man Lee’s sister Mildred. July 24, 1838 invasion force were causalities at the end of George Washington Parke Custis gave an the battle, including 2592 killed. July 12, 1835 oration at the commencement of Mary Lee Custis, second child and first Georgetown College in Washington. Custis, July 2, 1899 daughter of Robert and Mary Lee was born a vigorous supporter of religious freedom, Brigadier General Horatio Gouveneur at Arlington. Mrs. Lee developed a serious was an honored friend of the Jesuits who Wright, former Chief of Army Engineers, pelvic infection and was confined to bed for administered Georgetown College. died. He was buried on the lawn in front of almost four months. Arlington House. Although Wright (b. July 28, 1812 March 6, 1820) participated in several July 15, 1852 While defending a friend and freedom of the engagements during the Civil War, notably Eleanor ‘Nellie” Custis Lewis (1779-1852), press, Henry Lee, father of Robert E. Lee, the defense of Washington during the attack sister of George Washington Parke Custis, was set upon by a Baltimore mob and so by Jubal Early’s forces in July 1964, he is died at Audley, the home of her daughter. severely injured that he was “weak”, perhaps best known for completing the She was 74 years old. George Washington crippled, and disfigured, doomed to Washington Monument in 1884. Parke Custis thus became the last surviving invalidism for the remaining six years of his child of John Parke Custis and one of the last life. July 4, 1825 members of the Mount Vernon household. George Washington Parke Custis Since Robert E. Lee was at home, he 2 The Spectacle Area Special Events July 1 talks. Details: www.nps.gov/gett or Living history, “America’s Picnic: Celebrating Special “History at Sunset” program, “King 717-334-1124 extension 422. The Glorious Fourth,” brass band music, of Battle: Artillery at Malvern Hill,” at the Civil War reenactors at the Harpers Ferry battlefield, part of the Richmond National July 1-4 National Historical Park, WV. Free with Battlefield Park, VA. Free. 7 pm. 804-226-1981 Special events “A Sacred Trust, Gettysburg admission. www.nps.gov/hafe or or www.nps.gov/rich. Perspectives,” a variety of living history, talks, 304-535-6029. book signings, music and more at the Rupp Special Fredericksburg (VA) NPS “History at House (451 Baltimore St), headquarters for Living history encampments at the Sunset” tour, “A Forgotten Place Newly the Friends of the National Parks at Pennsylvania Memorial and Pitzer Woods, Discovered: Catherine Furnace of the Gettysburg, PA. Free. More info: 717-334- Gettysburg National Park, PA. Free. Wellford Farm” meets at Stop 8 on the 7292 or www.friendsofgettysburg.org.