November 26, 1863

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to General Jubal Early

Robert E. Lee prepares for battle by instructing Early to position his infantry troops to block George Meade's advances at Mine Run. He states that since he cannot be sure of Meade's position, he leaves more detailed instructions to Early's discretion. Lee reports that he will meet up with Early tomorrow to see how things are going. Lee makes clear his urgency by commenting, "There never was a time during the war when success was so necessary to us, and I hope that every officer and man will put before his best exertions to ensure it." From October 9, 1863 through November, the rival armies…

GLC00078

April 7, 1862

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to General Benjamin Huger

Faded ink, written on blue paper. The letter discusses that Huger was dismissed in July after a mistake at the Battle of Malvern Hill. Also mentions defense of Nansemond River.

GLC00389

November 22, 1853

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to H. Devereuse, Salem, Mass.

Docketed at top: "Col. Lee, Novr 22/53" Discusses Cadet's progress at West Point.

GLC00408

1904

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Book

Title: Recollections and letters of General Robert E. Lee

Written by his son. Published by Doubleday, Page & Company, New York.

GLC00267.270

March 13, 1866

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ellen Caskie

Informs that he received the box of photographs last night and has signed them with pleasure. He advises her not to hesitate to send more. Letter written while he was President of Washington College. With autograph envelope by Lee.

GLC01433

January 14, 1869

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miss Norvell Caskie

Letter written just before Miss Caskie married, as President of Washington College. Letter discusses Miss Norvell Caskie's upcoming marriage

GLC01435

April 12, 1862

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to Gov. John Milton

Lee asks the Florida governor if the state could raise troops to defend Pensacola.

GLC01424

April 14, 1867

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ellen Caskie

Returns photographs that he has signed. He tells her to never hesitate to ask him for more. He thanks her for keeping his name out of the papers and requests that she "... ask the editors of the Despatch & Inquirer to cease quarelling over my name." He mentions the weakness of his eyes.

GLC01434

circa 1865

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Free frank

Title: to Mrs. R. E. Lee

Letter sent in the care of Colonel Hill Carter to his wife at Shirly, near Petersburg, Va. Free franked field cover addressed to Mrs. R. E. Lee

GLC01436

November 16, 1863

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Grace Stevens

Mrs. Stevens's husband had been lost aboard the C.S.S. Ram. A very gracious letter.

GLC01882

18 September 1867

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dr. W. Carnac

Lee briefly responds to a query from Dr. W. Carnac denying the allegation that there was any romantic involvement between George Washington and Sue Grimes (Grymes), the first wife of Nathaniel Burwell. Lee comments that although he believes Washington acknowledged the beauty of Miss Grimes (Grymes), anything beyond that is imagined. Dr. W. Carnac previously sent Lee a manuscript (not included) detailing the alleged involvement.

GLC02096

September 5, 1861

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to Col. A. C. Moore

Lee writes a letter to Moore discussing preparations for the Battle of Cheat Mountain. Moore commanded the 29th Regiment of Va. Vols. The Battle of Cheat Mountain was Lee's first campaign of the war.

GLC01769

December 29, 1862

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to Ambrose E. Burnside

Lee writes a letter to Burnside discussing the fate of Capt. E. P. Lawton. Captain Lawton, apparently a Confederate being held in Alexandria and probably mortally wounded, had asked to be visited by his wife. Lee's letter acknowledges receipt of Burnside's offer of conveyance for Mrs. Lawton.

GLC01663

May 3, 1861

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to Philip St. George Cocke

Signed two weeks after Lee left the service of the U.S. Army. The letter from Lee to Cocke discusses mustering the first Virginia regiments to defend state.

GLC01564

May 10, 1861

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to Philip St. George Cocke

Lee writes to Cocke discussing early training of the newly recruited Virginia regiments. Letter signed three weeks after leaving the service of the U.S. Army.

GLC01565

July 13, 1863

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to John Daniel Imboden

Lee outlines his plans for the safe retreat of the Army of Northern Virginia 10 days after their defeat at the Battle of Gettysburg. He gives instructions to Brigadier General Imboden to cross the Potamac and proceed to Cherry Creek to ascertain whether or not the enemy troops are waiting. He instructs him to do all in his power to repress the advances of the enemy and defend the Confederate trains nearby so the army could retreat. Imboden did as he was told and Lee safely crossed the Potomac River the same night this letter was written. He was able to retreat because Union General George…

GLC01566

10 April 1865

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Manuscript document

Title: General Order No. 9

A foot soldier's copy of Robert E. Lee's farewell orders to his troops the day after his surrender at Appomattox. Lee expresses his respect and admiration for his men, and his unwillingness to continue to sacrifice so many for a lost cause.

GLC00102

March 14, 1868

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to J.C. Underwood

Writes to Judge Underwood of the U.S. Circuit Court to confirm his receipt of a summons to testify in the treason trial, '"The United States vs: Jefferson Davis," and agrees to report on the postponed day of the case, April 14, 1868. Lee did not actually appear in court until November 27, 1868. Written while Lee was president of Washington College (later Washington and Lee). The circuit court at Richmond was not able to reach a consensus on the trial and registered their disagreement with the U.S. Supreme Court. On December 25, 1868, President Johnson issued a proclamation of unconditional…

GLC00199

October 31, 1867

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Fitz-John Porter

Lee provides a brief list of his recollections of the events during the Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) August 29-30, 1862 in response to a request from Union General Fitz-John Porter. Union General John Pope refused to take the blame for the defeat, and charged Porter with misconduct at the Second Bull Run for not following his orders. Porter was placed under house arrest and was convicted. To aid his defense, Porter wrote to everyone involved in the battle and requested their recollections. Written while Lee was president of Washington College, later Washington and Lee. Excerpt: 1st.…

GLC00214.01

May 21, 1848

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sidney Smith Lee

It is a secretarially written and signed letter. Written to his brother (addressed "My dear Rose") as Engineer accompanying the Mexico expedition. A joyous Lee proudly announces the final ratification of a Peace Treaty between the United States and Mexico, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, by which the United States gained its entire western territory, from Texas to California. Lee comments that he is "exhilarated by the prospect of getting home, when I shall again see you & my dear Sis Nanie." Envelope addressed to Sidney Smith Lee, Annapolis. According to Paul C. Nagel book, The Lees of…

GLC00215

11 April 1865

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Header Record

Title: General Orders no. 9 [decimalized: order with pass]

GLC00526

11 April 1865

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Document signed

Title: General Order No. 9

Lee's farewell orders to his troops, written the day after his surrender to Grant. Docketed "General R. E. Lee's Farewell Orders." Written from Appomattox Court House, Virginia. This version is said to be one of the second group made out by Lee's secretary, Charles Marshall. (The handwriting of the text is Marshall's.)

GLC00526.01

May 11, 1861

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to Wynne, Hill and Glazebrook

The letter is regarding surveying the approaches to Richmond to establish lines of defense

GLC00663

05 September 1864

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: Endorsement (by Lee and Beauregard) of telegram from Gov. Zebulon B. Vance

Telegram from Raleigh, N.C. written in a clerical hand on stationery of the Southern Telegraph Company. Endorsed on verso by Beauregard and Lee. Vance was North Carolina governor.

GLC00670

May 29, 1862

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to Governor Francis W. Pickens

Written to South Carolina's governor, Pickens in response to Pickens concerns about the city of Charleston. Lee writes in part, "The loss of Charleston would cut us off almost entirely from communication with the rest of the world and close the only channel through which we can expect to get supplies from abroad now almost our only dependince. [.... ] Let it be distinctly understood by every body, that Charleston and Savannah are to be defended to the last extremity. If the harbours are taken, the cities are to be fought street by street and house by house as long as we have a foot of ground…

GLC00751