Auction Date:2011 Jan 12 @ 16:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
ALS signed “R. E. Lee,” one page both sides, 7.75 x 9.75, December 22, 1853. Lee writes from West Point to General George H. Devereux, about his son, Arthur Forrester Devereux. In full: “I regret very much to inform you that your Son was found absent from his qrs & Barrack a few nights since from about 12 till 1 AM. He was in Company with Cadet Amory, & They are reported to have had spirituous liquor in their possession when they returned. The Case being beyond my jurisdiction & punishable by the reg'ns of the Acd'y with dismissal, has been reported to the Sec'y of War. What may be his action or the result, of Course, I cannot Say, but the demerit attached to the offense will cause that of your Son to exceed 100. I have hesitated to impart to you what I know will cause you much distress, & I now reluctantly do so, proceeding on the principle which I prefer in my own case, to know the worst that I may have the opportunity of doing what I can to remedy it. I can only assure you of my sincere sympathy & consideration.” Letter is housed in a beautiful quarter-leather custom case. In fine condition, with intersecting folds, and some scattered light toning and soiling.
Military protocol was an essential part of Lee’s life and career; in fact, he is famous for never receiving a demerit while a West Point cadet. The same could not be said of Cadet Devereux, whose dalliance with another student and “spirituous liquor” led to yet a demerit that threatened him with dismissal from the academy. Lee regrettably tells General Devereux, who had served as adjutant general of Massachusetts from 1848 to 1851, that the matter was “beyond my jurisdiction” and had been transferred along the chain of command. As forecasted by Lee, Arthur Forrester Devereux did not graduate West Point, but he would serve as a Union colonel during the Civil War and become known for his expertise and proficiency in a style of military drill instruction known as the Zouave method, practiced in France. As commander of an outfit during the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg, Devereux would meet Lee’s forces on the battlefield and filled a breach in Union lines during Pickett's Charge, ironically Lee’s biggest military blunder.
Auction Location:
5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
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