CONTENT WARNING
Materials in the Library of Virginia’s collections contain historical terms, phrases, and images that are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and dehumanizing references to race, ethnicity, and nationality; enslaved or free status; physical and mental ability; and gender and sexual orientation.
Context
On February 3, 1865, Confederate Vice President Alexander H. Stephens and two other commissioners met with United States President Abraham Lincoln on the steamship River Queen near Fort Monroe in Hampton. The meeting was a futile effort to end the Civil War. The Confederate contingent did not agree to Lincoln's demand that the Southern forces had to lay down their arms and agree to restore the Union.
When news of the failed negotiations became known, many communities who supported the Confederate cause issued resolutions such as this one from residents of Powhatan County who gathered at the courthouse later in February 1865. In it, they expressed their objection to the proposed plan, praised the actions of the Confederate army, and pledged to support the war effort and the families of those fighting in the war. Two months later, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse. Charles Carter Lee, the president of the committee that wrote the resolution, was the eldest son of Revolutionary War hero Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee and the older brother of Robert E. Lee.
Citation: Powhatan County Citizens, Resolutions Adopted by a Meeting of the People of Powhatan, held in the Courthouse on February Court Day, 1865 [pledging loyalty to the cause of the Confederacy]. Broadside 1865.P6 BOX, Special Collections, Library of Virginia.
When news of the failed negotiations became known, many communities who supported the Confederate cause issued resolutions such as this one from residents of Powhatan County who gathered at the courthouse later in February 1865. In it, they expressed their objection to the proposed plan, praised the actions of the Confederate army, and pledged to support the war effort and the families of those fighting in the war. Two months later, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse. Charles Carter Lee, the president of the committee that wrote the resolution, was the eldest son of Revolutionary War hero Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee and the older brother of Robert E. Lee.
Citation: Powhatan County Citizens, Resolutions Adopted by a Meeting of the People of Powhatan, held in the Courthouse on February Court Day, 1865 [pledging loyalty to the cause of the Confederacy]. Broadside 1865.P6 BOX, Special Collections, Library of Virginia.
Standards
VS.1, VS.7, USI.1, USI.9
Suggested Questions
Preview Activity
Scan It: Scan the transcription of the document. What word or phrases stand out to you? What do those word or phrases tell you about the people involved in writing the resolution?
Post Activities
Up for Debate: Pretend you are a resident of Powhatan County. The county has called a meeting asking whether you still support the Confederate war effort or if you are ready for peace. What are your arguments? Why would you make those arguments?
Social Media Spin: Create social media post in which summarize the document and your position on promoting the resolutions passed by Powhatan County residents.
Analyze: In the third resolution, the residents pledge "our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honors" to continue the fight. Why might they have quoted this phrase from the Declaration of Independence (find it online at the National Archives)?
Scan It: Scan the transcription of the document. What word or phrases stand out to you? What do those word or phrases tell you about the people involved in writing the resolution?
Post Activities
Up for Debate: Pretend you are a resident of Powhatan County. The county has called a meeting asking whether you still support the Confederate war effort or if you are ready for peace. What are your arguments? Why would you make those arguments?
Social Media Spin: Create social media post in which summarize the document and your position on promoting the resolutions passed by Powhatan County residents.
Analyze: In the third resolution, the residents pledge "our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honors" to continue the fight. Why might they have quoted this phrase from the Declaration of Independence (find it online at the National Archives)?