June 26, 1834

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John MacKay

Written to his friend "Jack," in a lighthearted and comfortable manner. Lee arrived in Fort Monroe as an engineer in 1831 to improve works and build Fort Calhoun. Many of Lee and MacKay's mutual friends were there and Lee updates MacKay on their lives. He wishes MacKay could be there to enjoy "fine times." Lee mentions the ladies in the area, "As for the daughters of Eve, in this country they are framed in the very poetry of nature & would make your lips water & fingers tingle. They are beginning to assemble to put their beautiful limbs in this salt water . . . " Lee remarks briefly…

GLC01070

June 9, 1864

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to Jefferson Davis

Written less than a week after the Battle of Cold Harbor, June 1-3, 1864, where Union General Ulysses S. Grant defeated the Confederates. Lee attempts to anticipate Grant's next move and warns of another major engagement. Lee notifies Davis of his plans to check Grant's advances by sending General Jubal Early to deal with Union General David Hunter, and General Wade Hampton and Fitzhugh Lee to handle Union General Philip Sheridan. These moves forced the Union generals to abandon the valley. Lee seeks information through captured prisoners and newspaper reports about union troop strength and…

GLC01026

August 3, 1857

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Capt. Nathan G. Evans

A humorous letter to his friend from West Point. Also concerns fighting Indians and paying for a gun. Lee remained in Texas by order of General Twiggs. The letter also mentions A.S. Sydney going to Utah to fight Mormons, army news, debt settlement, and a keg of water.

GLC01031

11 November 1862

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: Endorsement on application requesting change of assignment

Lee denies the request of a soldier, Graham H. Simrall, to transfer to Gen. Morgan's command in order to be near his family. Lee cites the "dimunitition of this army" in denying the request. His response is written on verso of letter of William Preston Johnston to the Secretary of War, requesting the transfer.

GLC01048

December 26, 1863

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Ewell Brown Stuart

With an AES by Stuart referring the note to Gen. Lomax. Lee forwards a report of a build-up at Culpepper Court House and orders "Keep every one on the alert." Letter dated at 5 1/4 P.M. Stuart has underscored in his own note: "Vigilance is the word." Letter also mentions conflicting reports of enemy movement.

GLC01057

June 27, 1838

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John MacKay

Lee's signature is cross-written on page 4 as part of the address leaf. This letter betrays some bitterness towards politicians even as it teases MacKay for his remote posting. Also, mentions improvements on Mississippi.

GLC01071

July 22, 1869

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mattie Ould

Lee as matchmmaker. Custis Lee never married. Flattering letter to a beautiful woman, daughter of Judge Robert Ould, Confederate Prisoner Exchange agent.

GLC00860

February 8, 1865

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to Louis T. Wigfall

In the letter, Lee is asking for troops from West of the Mississippi to defend Virginia. Transcript in seller's description. Written two days after Lee had been appointed commander-in-chief. Letter written at the Head Quarters of the Army of North Virginia.

GLC00952

20 June 1861

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Document signed

Title: Special orders no. 198: to Nathan G. Evans, ordering to Manassas

Labelled "Special Orders no. 198." Ordering Evans to Manassas Junction to report to Gen. Beauregard. Evans played an important part in the battle.

GLC01081

9 April 1865

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to Ulysses S. Grant

In regard to his forthcoming surrender to Grant at Appomattox Courthouse, Lee writes requests "a suspension of hostilities pending the discussion of the terms of surrender." A endorsement by General Edward O.C Ord appears on the lower fold, made at 11:55 AM and indicating that the letter was read and acted upon by Ord's and General Philip H. Sheridan's troops. Letter marked "Duplicate."

GLC07967

February 6, 1843

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John MacKay

Comments on MacKay's improving health and gives additional advice. Discusses congressional appropriations, reductions in budgets and appointments, and politics in Washington, D.C. at length. Mentions that the Oregon Bill, which expansionist President James K. Polk supported in his campaign, passed the Senate but had a doubtful fate in the House. Lee was then the Superintending Engineer for Fort Hamilton in New York Harbor. Delays and changes in congressional appropriations threatened his improvement projects. MacKay was Lee's closest friend during his days at West Point. He served in the…

GLC07755

16 March 1863

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to James Longstreet

To James Longstreet, ordering preparations to engage Union army when it crosses the Rappahannock, noting strategy of mobility to counter the union's greater numbers: "It is also reported that it is Genl. Hooker's intention to cross the river & advance as soon as the State of the roads will permit, & that in fact he has received repeated orders to that effect.… we should be prepared to concentrate to meet him wherever he shd advance in force. From present indications it is fair to presume that we shall be called upon to engage him first on the Rappahannock, and I desire you to be…

GLC09249

6 June 1860

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Anna Fitzhugh

To cousin Anna Fitzhugh, an intimate letter written on the eve of the Civil War, reporting on family news and revealing his personal anxieties and troubles: "A divided heart I have too long had, & a divided life too long led. That may be one cause of the small progress I have made on either hand, my professional & civil career. Success is not always attained by a single undivided effort. It rarely follows a halting vacillating course. My military duties require me here, whereas my affections & urgent domestic claims call me away. And thus I live & am unable to advance either.…

GLC09256

30 June 1848

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sidney Smith Lee

Having returned from service in the Mexican War just a day before, Lee writes to his brother Sidney Smith Lee of his homecoming and other family news. "Here I am once again, my dear Smith, perfectly surrounded by this Mama & her precious children, who seem to devote themselves to staring at the furrows in my face and the white hairs in my head. It is not surprising that I am hardly recognizable to the young eyes around me perfectly unknown to the youngest. But some of the older ones gaze with astonishment & wonder & seem at a loss to reconcile what they see , to what was pictured…

GLC09257

January 28, 1865

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Manuscript document

Title: Circular

Circular concerning the long delay in the payment of troops: "I know the character of the men of this army too well, to doubt that they can be excelled in patience under a disappointment occasioned by the necessities of the country, & not by the neglect of the Government."

GLC09289

7 May 1864

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Document signed

Title: [Order for Commander Thomas W. Brent to report to Savannah, GA]

Confederate naval commander Thomas W. Brent was ordered to leave his post in Mobile, Alabama and proceed to Savannah, Georgia for service. Signature by captain in charge Robert E. Lee.

GLC03079.03

7 January 1865

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Document signed

Title: [Order for Commander Thomas W. Brent to await orders for placement]

Confederate naval commander Thomas W. Brent was ordered to leave his post at Savannah, Georgia, and await further instruction from the department for his next placement. Stamp on bottom lefthand corner reads: "Quarter Masters Dept, Augusta. G.A." Signed by captain in charge Robert E. Lee. Docket on verso.

GLC03079.04

12 April 1864

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jefferson Davis

Reporting that a large part of Union defenses of Washington, DC were substituted by invalid corps, and negro troops were sent to the valley.

GLC08132

07 May 1862

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Huger

Placement of troops during Petersburg Campaign

GLC08156

07 December 1863

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph document signed

Title: General Orders No. 133

Proclaims the following Thursday as a day of fast and "sincere prayers for future guidance and protection."

GLC08267

3 August 1851

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George W. C. Lee

Addressed to "Boo" (his son's nickname), then a student at West Point. Comments on the construction of Fort Carroll in Baltimore, which Lee was supervising. Discusses the charge against his son of keeping alcohol in his room, for which George received a mild sentence because of conflicting testimony. Lee doubted George's guilt and was glad that the possible blight on his son's career had been removed. He is glad to hear news of George's resumed participation in activities at West Point and offers words of encouragement. Hopes to see his son soon, and will send him some cool weather…

GLC07081.01

10 June 1862

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jefferson Davis

"I propose for your consideration sending two good brigades from this army to reinforce Genl. Jackson. These. . . will make him strong enough to wipe out Fremont. . ." Jackson will "sweep down north of the Chickahominy, cut up McClellan's communications & rear, while I attack in front. I can hold McClellan in his present position for a week or ten days during this movement. . .McClellan will not move out of his entrenchments unless forced, which this must accomplish."

GLC08374

20 September 1847

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Matilda Mason

Responds to a previous letter from Matie, possibly a relative by marriage. Mentions mutual acquaintances, including a fellow soldier named Rhett. Relates that he occupies a suite of apartments belonging to Senora Santa Anna (wife of former Mexican leader Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna) at the National Palace. Discusses Senora Santa Anna's flowers at length. Supposes Mexico City's "principal people have fled..." Discusses characteristics and the layout of the city, including the position of the National Palace and museums. States that Bankhead (possibly Charles Bankhead) serves as the…

GLC08894

1836/04/13

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Col. Geo. Bomford re: $50,000 being set aside for building (gun?) carriages

Written on stationery of the War Department's Engineer Dept.

GLC01943

1864/04/28

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Letter signed

Title: to James A. Seddon re: disbanding company and reassigning officers

With docketing ANS of James Seddon, Confederate Secretary of State, on verso saying "I hope the Legislation of Congress will enable me to support your views. JAS."

GLC01957