Auction Date:2012 Aug 15 @ 18:00 (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, lightly-lined both sides, 7.5 x 9.5, October 2, 1869. Letter to his nephew John Mason Lee. In full: “ I recd this mrng your letter of the 27 ult: from Ravensworth enclosing telegram from Major Conway Howard. Last Summer I met Col: Clarke Esq. to whom I spoke about my desire to obtain a position for you. He said he had just recd a letter from Major Howard requesting him to send him an asst. of gentlemanly Character &c & he thought that you would answer his purpose as I knew that it had been some time since your attention had been given to Engineering & in view of the distance expense &c. I requested him to write to Major Howard, state the Case & get his answer. I presume Major Howard’s telegram to you is the result. Major Howard & Col: Clarke were Engineers of the Army of N.V. [Northern Virginia] & you may have seen them on the lines around Richmond & Petersburg.
The former was a great deal with Genl. A.P. Hill Clarke said he wanted ten assistants. I have no doubt it is a good position. It will require work, energy & ability to succeed & I hope that you have all that. Howard has charge of one of the R. Roads in Texas—I have forgotten which. The position to which Mr. Williams refers I presume is an Agency in the Insurance, or rather Life Assurance Compy, of which Mr. Fenber is the V. Pres: & Manager. It extends over the Southern States. It depends upon your preferences in a pursuit in Life. The life in Texas might be a rough one, but profitable, if you liked Engineering & qualified yourself for the position. Major Howard seems to want you at once & you would be justified from his Telegram to report to him. Fitz & your Mother will advise you what is best for you to do—I return telegram. All are well as usual & I am glad to hear that your Godmother is in her accustomed health. Give my love to all with you in which all with me unite.” In very good condition, with a few small separations along intersecting folds, uniform overall toning, some light dampstaining, and some light rippling and creasing.
Having retired to Virginia where he was serving as president of Washington College, Lee here writes to his nephew, John Mason Lee, in regards to a job offer from a former Army of North Virginia comrade in Texas. Having begun his own military career in the Corps of Engineers, distinguishing himself as one of history’s greatest combat engineers, Uncle Lee’s advice on the subject was certainly valuable. In an attempt to secure a position for his nephew, Lee explored his connections to Confederate comrades Colonel John Clarke (previously Chief Engineer for the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida) and Major Conway Howard (former engineer under Lee’s great commander Ambrose Powell Hill, as mentioned in this letter). Both were important figures in this area of the war and continued their postwar careers in the rapidly growing railroad industry. Upon hearing of a possible assistant position with Howard in Texas, Lee advises John Mason, “The life in Texas might be a rough one, but profitable, if you liked Engineering & qualified yourself for the position.” In this letter, we see the fatherly side of Lee offering guidance to his nephew, speaking from his extensive experience in the field and with these men, encouraging him to take the position. With both its personal tone and its incredible content—touching on three of the most important aspects of his life: engineering, comrades of the Confederacy, and his former home of Texas—this is a truly remarkable letter from the Rebel General.
Auction Location:
5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
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