It's a lovely story: the worshippers at St Paul's in Richmond, one Sunday in June 1865 were shocked when a black man went up to the front of the church to take communion after the service. Then up went Robert E Lee, and people thought he would usher the black man away. But instead he kneels beside the black man, encourages the rector to get on with communion, and thus accepts the black man as an equal under God.
It is in Winik's April 1865, and in Flood's book on Lee's last years, and all over the Internet. But did it really happen? The documentary evidence is rather thin. The earliest source I know of is an article in 1905, in Confederate Veteran. Its not in Freeman's 4 volumes of the life of Lee, nor in RE Lee Jrs memories of his father.
Then to add to the confusion, the 1905 article seems to have a quite different interpretation of what happened.
I got this from www.stratalum.org/leecommunion.htm, and someone on another forum says he looked this up in CV and its accurately quoted.
So what do you all think? Do you think this story happened or not?
It is in Winik's April 1865, and in Flood's book on Lee's last years, and all over the Internet. But did it really happen? The documentary evidence is rather thin. The earliest source I know of is an article in 1905, in Confederate Veteran. Its not in Freeman's 4 volumes of the life of Lee, nor in RE Lee Jrs memories of his father.
Then to add to the confusion, the 1905 article seems to have a quite different interpretation of what happened.
Quote:
"NEGRO COMMUNED AT ST. PAUL'S CHURCH," CONFEDERATE VETERAN, 13 (AUGUST 1905): 360. "Col. T. L. Broun, of Charleston, W. Va., writes of having been present at St. Paul's Church, Richmond, Va., just after the war when a negro marched to the communion table ahead of the congregation. His account of the event is as follows:
Two months after the evacuation of Richmond business called me to Richmond for a few days, and on a Sunday morning in June, 1865, I attended St. Paul's Church. Dr. Minnegerode [sic] preached. It was communion day; and when the minister was ready to administer the holy communion, a negro in the church arose and advanced to the communion table. He was tall, well-dressed, and black. This was a great surprise and shock to the communicants and others present. Its effect upon the communicants was startling, and for several moments they retained their seats in solemn silence and did not move, being deeply chagrined at this attempt to inaugurate the "new regime" to offend and humiliate them during their most devoted Church services. Dr. Minnegerode [sic] was evidently embarrassed.
General Robert E. Lee was present, and, ignoring the action and presence of the negro, arose in his usual dignified and self-possessed manner, walked up the aisle to the chancel rail, and reverently knelt down to partake of the communion, and not far from the negro. This lofty conception of duty by Gen. Lee under such provoking and irritating circumstances had a magic effect upon the other communicants (including the writer), who went forward to the communion table.
By this action of Gen. Lee the services were conducted as if the negro had not been present. It was a grand exhibition of superiority shown by a true Christian and great soldier under the most trying and offensive circumstances."
I got this from www.stratalum.org/leecommunion.htm, and someone on another forum says he looked this up in CV and its accurately quoted.
So what do you all think? Do you think this story happened or not?
