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Sale 61
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Lot 471
Lee, Robert E (1807-1870) Legendary Confederate general. Autograph Letter Signed "R E Lee" as president of Washington College, one page, 8¼ x 8¼ in., Lexington, Va., Dec. 7, 1869. To Mr. B.B. Euston of Macon, Georgia. In full: "I rec.d by Express yesterday a copy of the last order issued to the Army of N Virginia at Appomattox Ct House, handsomely framed & illustrated, on which it was stated that it had been executed at your Commercial College by yourself; & I presume that I am indebted to you for it. It does great credit to your Institution & Skill, & is a very handsome specimen of penmanship. I am very much obliged to you for this token of remembrance & am very resp[ectfull]y. Your obt servt R E Lee." Light soiling and small paper loss in upper left corner, else fine. Matted with a portrait of Lee which is printed with Lee's quotation at lower right: "You should do your duty in all things. You can never do more, you should never wish to do less." Framed to an overall size of 15½ x 23 in.
The order (not present) to which Lee refers is General Order No. 9, his Farewell Address to the Army of Northern Virginia, issued on April 10, 1865, the day after he surrendered the army to Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House. The order said: " After four years of arduous service marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude, the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to overwhelming numbers and resources. I need not tell the survivors of so many hard fought battles, who have remained steadfast to the last, that I have consented to the result from no distrust of them. But feeling that valour and devotion could accomplish nothing that could compensate for the loss that must have attended the continuance of the contest, I have determined to avoid the useless sacrifice of those whose past services have endeared them to their countrymen. By the terms of the agreement, officers and men can return to their homes and remain until exchanged. You will take with you the satisfaction that proceeds from the consciousness of duty faithfully performed, and I earnestly pray that a merciful God will extend to you his blessing and protection. With an unceasing admiration of your constancy and devotion to your Country, and a grateful remembrance of your kind and generous consideration for myself, I bid you an affectionate farewell. R.E. Lee, General."
Estimated Value $9,000 - 12,000.
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