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ROBERT E. LEE 1862 Historic Civil War-date Content Letter Signed

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:12,000.00 USD Estimated At:14,000.00 - 16,000.00 USD
ROBERT E. LEE  1862 Historic Civil War-date Content Letter Signed
Autographs
Robert E. Lee Acts as Moderator Between Jefferson Davis and Florida Governor John Milton on a Recommendation
ROBERT E. LEE (1807-1870). Commanding Confederate States of America Major General throughout the Civil War period, previously a U.S. Army Engineer and Officer, later the Founder and President of Washington & Lee College in Lexington, Virginia.
April 25, 1862-Dated Civil War-Date, Letter Signed, "R. E. Lee" as Commanding General of the Confederate Army, 2 pages (front and back), measuring 8.5" x 10.5", Choice Very Fine. Robert E. Lee acts as a moderator between Jefferson Davis and Florida Governor John Milton, who feels slighted by Jeff Davis for not accepting his recommendation for Brigadier General to command the Rebel forces in Florida. Trivial chipping and tone along the edges, nicely penned in brown ink on lightly toned period blue fine lined wove paper. Handwritten from Richmond, Virginia, to Florida Governor at Tallahassee, John Milton. Robert E. Lee conveys, in full:

"Your letter of the 17th inst. is received. I regret that you should feel any disappointment that the President did not adopt your recommendation in the selection of a Brigadier General to command in Florida. You will perceive from my former letter, that before your recommendation was received, the subject had alreadv engaged the attention of the President, and of gentlemen whose deep interest in the cause is well known, and whose acquaintance with the condition of affairs in Florida naturally gave great weight to their counsel.

I am sure your Excellency need not be told, that in continuing to act under their advice, the President did not forget the consideration due to your recommendation, and while he was guided in making the appointment by the advice of those with whom he was already consulting, he did not doubt, nor does he now question, that the interest felt by all concerned in the subject, would secure the attainment of the great object the advancement of our common cause. Your Excellency's assurance of your readiness to cooperate fully with Genl. Finnegan, is only what the President expected from your known attachment to the country, and disinterested devotion to the cause, and with your aid, the President sincerely hopes that a result will be attained which will satisfy you that the promotion of the interests of the country was the controlling motive of those with whom he counseled, as he is persuaded that it is your own.

With reference to the proclamation of Martial Law in the counties designated by Genl. Floyd, the President desires me to say that he does not think the facts stated would justify him in exercising the power. He hopes that the civil authorities, aided by the military which can always be used for that purpose, will prove sufficient for the emergency. If your Excellency possesses the power under the laws of Florida to proclaim Martial Law, you will of course judge of the necessity of such a measure for yourself. --- I am Governor, very respfy --

Your obt Servt., - (Signed) R.E. Lee Genl. Comdg”.

A telling Letter displaying some of Lee's diplomatic skills. Jefferson Davis' choice of Finnegan turned out to be a wise one. Florida was nearly devoid of Confederate forces and was viewed as a ripe target for invasion. On February 20, 1864, a force of 5,500 Union soldiers under General Truman Seymour crashed into Finnegan's outnumbered forces at Olustee, Florida. Just as Finnegan committed the last of his reserves, the Union line broke and began to retreat. The greatest damage was caused by the Northern press, which demanded to know why troops were being expended in a militarily insignificant state. In late May, 1864, Finnegan was sent to Virginia at the head of a brigade of Floridians. At the second Battle of Cold Harbor, his forces fill the breach after a desperate charge by Grant broke Breckinridge's line and threatened to flank the Confederates. The reference to martial law, is in connection with orders Milton passed to General John B. Floyd for protection of the newly built Florida Railroad Company tracks, rolling stock and terminals. Important and historic Civil War “Florida” content Confederate Documents are very rare.
Robert Edward Lee (January 19, 1807 – October 12, 1870) was a career military officer who is best known for having commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War.

The son of Revolutionary War officer Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee III and a top graduate of the United States Military Academy, Robert E. Lee distinguished himself as an exceptional officer and combat engineer in the United States Army for 32 years. During this time, he served throughout the United States, distinguished himself during the Mexican-American War, served as Superintendent of the United States Military Academy, and married Mary Custis.

When Virginia declared its secession from the Union in April 1861, Lee chose to follow his home state, despite his personal desire for the Union to stay intact and despite the fact that President Abraham Lincoln had offered Lee command of the Union Army!