LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 December Civil War Auction #674  / 

72106

FITZHUGH LEE: IMPORTANT POSTWAR MANUSCRIPT

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:4,875.00 USD Estimated At:10,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD
FITZHUGH LEE: IMPORTANT POSTWAR MANUSCRIPT
<B>FITZHUGH LEE: HIGHLY IMPORTANT POSTWAR MANUSCRIPT SENT TO ROBERT E. LEE.</B></I> Autograph Document Signed, “<I>Fitz Lee</B></I>”, 47 pages, 7.5” x 10”, “Richland”, Stafford County, Virginia, December 20, 1866, to Robert E. Lee, Lexington, Virginia. A small self-cover notebook of lined paper carries the following pencil inscription on its final page, “<I>Report of Cavalry operations by Fitz Lee</B></I>”. Written in letter form while the memories were still fresh, the younger Lee gives his superior (and uncle) a detailed account of the war’s final year from the perspective of a very senior cavalry commander. Opening with the Wilderness and Spotsylvania battles, Fitz Lee’s narrative recounts all of the bloody engagements that culminated in the Confederacy’s inevitable fall. Generals such as Stuart, Bragg, Hoke and Breckinridge are mentioned routinely. Long-forgotten junior officers such as Captain George Matthews “<I>who was killed in a very gallant charge</B></I>” are also briefly resurrected The letter/report opens as follows: “<I>I have the honor to submit the following report in conformity to your request to be informed in reference to the operations of my command from the time General Grant crossed the Rapidan, on the 4th of May 1864, until the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia upon the 9th of April 1865”. </B></I>Many pages later, having had his say, Fitz Lee generously concludes with <I>“</B></I>…<I>upon the above testimonial which I know is insufficiently furnished you will award the proper measure of praise to the valor, endurance & patriotism of the noble band of troopers I had the honor to Comd. & that you must feel assured that they at least did their whole duty in the unsuccessful struggle in which we were engaged.” </B></I>This splendid account is a highly placed ex-Confederate’s early postwar attempt to analyze a bitterly unwelcome defeat. The report’s outer pages, serving as a cover wrap, have become disbound and are largely split along the spine. The remaining text is evenly toned and suffers only a few turned corners. <BR><BR><B>Condition:</B></I> Overall good, and a likely candidate for restoration.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Flat Material, Small (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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