Description
W.H.F. Lee, also known as Rooney Lee, was the second son of Robert E. Lee. He served in the U.S. Army until 1859 before resigning to run his plantation. When the Civil War began he was commissioned as a captain in the Confederate Cavalry and took part in J.E.B. Stuart’s ride around the Union Army. At the Battle of Brady Station, Rooney was shot and then captured. He was later exchanged as part of a prisoner swap. In 1864, Rooney was promoted to Major General in command of the Confederate Calvary of Virginia. In 1865, he surrendered his troops along with his father at Appomattox Court House. In 1875, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia where he served until his death.
Lottery of Death
Two captains in the Confederate Army were captured, convicted as spies, and executed. In reprisal, Confederate Authorities ordered that two Union captains in Libby Prison were to be selected and executed. The two Union captains were to be chosen by a lottery, hence a Lottery of Death. Captains Sawyer and Flinn drew the short sticks, however before they were executed, the Federal Government announced that if Sawyer and Flinn were executed, the Confederate prisoner General W.H.F. Lee (son of Robert E. Lee) would be executed in retaliation. The retaliations could easily spiral out of control resulting in the mass execution of prisoners of war. A compromise was reached resulting in a prisoner exchange. Sawyer & Flinn returned to the North and W.H.F Lee returned to the South.
This W.H.F. Lee mug is part of our Civil War Series profiling participants in the War Between the States. Thousands of Confederate and Union soldiers fought in battles such as Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Chattanooga, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg. We honor their sacrifices by telling their stories.
The biographical History Mugs were created to teach and inspire individuals to learn about our diverse and interesting history. The biographies were researched and written by history enthusiast, Robert Compton. He colorized most of the historic photos and images used on the mugs, which were originally black and white or sepia-tone. The images and biographies are imprinted on mugs at his studio in rural Vermont.
- Mugs are food and microwave-safe.
- To preserve photographic quality we recommend hand washing.
- Mugs are usually shipped within 3-5 days.
