Lee, John F. (1813-1884) to Henry Jackson Hunt
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02382.086 Author/Creator: Lee, John F. (1813-1884) Place Written: Upper Marlboro, Maryland Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 18 February 1871 Pagination: 2 p. ; 20.3 x 12.8 cm. Order a Copy
Requests information from Hunt regarding Robert E. Lee's heroic crossing of the pedregal (a lava field) during the Mexican American war. This inquiry is for Emily V. Mason, who is writing a pictorial school book on the life of Lee. Mentions Generals Winfield Scott and David Twiggs, and Poinsett (possibly Joel Roberts Poinsett). Mentions the retirement of General Benjamin Roberts. States "I regret that the army is insufficient under military direction, to suppress the Ku Klux & regulate the elections. The new bill... treats the military machine, as capable of working usefully, only when under intelligent civil direction." Congress passed several "force bills" in 1870 and 1871, attempting to curtail actions of the Klan. Mason, a friend of Mary Randolph Curtis Lee, published her book Popular Life of Gen. Robert Edward Lee in 1872.
Hunt had served as Chief of Artillery for the Army of the Potomac. After the Civil War, he occupied various military posts. During the early 1870s, Hunt served at Fort Adams, Newport, Rhode Island. Congress passed several "force bills" in 1870 and 1871, attempting to curtail actions of the Klan. Mason, a friend of Mary Randolph Curtis Lee, published her book Popular Life of Gen. Robert Edward Lee in 1872.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.