MARRIAGE OF MARY CUSTIS AND ROBERT E. LEE. Childhood friendship turned to love by the time Lee graduated from West Point and was assigned to duty in the Corps of Engineers. Whenever possible he was at Arlington courting Mary Custis, and in the summer of 1830 they became engaged. The evening of the wedding, June 30, 1831, was one of steady rain, but nothing could affect the warmth and happiness inside the friendly portals of Arlington. The ceremony was formal and elaborate as befitted the union of two of the most prominent families of Virginia. The happy couple, surrounded by pretty bridesmaids and uniformed groomsmen, made a picturesque scene. [Illustration: _George Washington Parke Custis._ Engraved from the portrait by Gilbert Stuart made about 1825.] THE LEES AT FORT MONROE, 1831 TO 1834. Wedding trips not being customary at that time, the young married couple stayed at Arlington until it was time for them to go to Fort Monroe where Lee was stationed. At Christmas they returned home, and, because of the bad weather, Mrs. Lee remained there till spring. Furniture and choice provisions from the Custis farms helped to make the Lee’s quarters at the fort more homelike, while Mrs. Custis’ frequent letters lessened her daughter’s homesickness, as did the whimsical, chatty ones her father wrote regularly to his “Dr Son & Daughter.” In September of 1832, their first child was born there, a son named George Washington Custis Lee, after his grandfather. Christmas that year at Arlington was especially happy because of the new baby (known familiarly as “Custis” Lee), and because Lee was unexpectedly able to be there. The following year passed much the same way. [Illustration: _Lieutenant and Mrs. Robert E. Lee in 1838._ From the portraits by William E. West. U. S. Army Signal Corps photographs.] LEE ON DUTY AT WASHINGTON, 1834 TO 1837. In the autumn of 1834, Lee was transferred to Washington and with his family made his home at Arlington. Sometimes his work kept him away overnight, but usually each morning and afternoon he was to be seen riding between his office and home. Lee disliked the office work which kept him in the city until the middle of 1837, but life at Arlington was most pleasant. Mrs. Lee’s parents idolized their little grandson, and for them Lee felt a growing respect and affection. Custis was the nearest link to the first President, and associating with him and living in the presence of so many of the General’s personal belongings made Washington very close and real to the young engineer, an example and influence that steadily entered his soul.