LEE, Robert E., (1807-1870). General, C.S.A. . Autograph battlefield letter signed ("R E Lee Gen") apparently to General John C. Breckinridge (1821-1875), "9¾ am," 30 May 1864. 1 page, 8vo., hurriedly written in pencil. PRELUDE TO COLD HARBOR: A VERY RARE LEE BATTLEFIELD ORDER, ANTICIPATING GRANT'S ATTEMPT TO FLANK HIM AT TOTOPOTOMOY CREEK In early May, Grant had opened a massive spring offensive, pushing south into the Wilderness, launching days of hard-fought, bloody combat with Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Over the next few weeks the two armies edged further and further to the southeast as Grant attempted unsuccessfully to turn Lee's right flank. In every attempt, Lee managed to interpose his force. At the North Anna River (May 23-26), Grant, realizing Lee was too strong to be dislodged, again tried to turn Lee's flank. On May 29, the day before this letter, Lee, by rapidly moving southeast, successfully blocked Grant along the Totopotomoy. On the morning of 30 May, Grant began to probe Lee's lines. Apparently, Breckinridge, commanding on the left center of Lee's lines, had noticed Union forces shifting to the south east, and, mindful of Grant's previous flanking movements, informed Lee. Here, Lee issues orders to track the Union movement, in case it marks a general shift, but cautions Breckinridge to inform General A.P. Hill, on the Confederate's extreme left wing to follow suit, so no hole opens in the their lines. "Yr note of 9 1/4 a.m. recd. If the enemy is extending to yr right, take ground in the same direction towards left closing with him if necessary. Notifying G l A P Hill to close in on yr left. Communicate with Gl. Early & apprize him of any movement of yr own or of the enemy that wd. effect him. Res[pectfully] R E Lee." BATTLEFIELD NOTES OR ORDERS GIVEN DURING COMBAT ARE ALMOST NEVER PRESERVED. Due to their ephemeral nature, most, in the usual course of battle or its aftermath, are discarded. Since 1980, we have handled only four examples: two by George A. Custer, one by T.J. Jackson and one other by Lee (a pencilled note to U.S. Grant requesting a cease-fire to discuss surrender terms, 9 April 1865, part of the Forbes Collection, sold 27 March 2002). Because inkpots and steel-nib pens are entirely unsuited to a battlefield command situation, these battlefield orders are invariably in pencil, a medium which is is eminently portable, spill-proof, and always ready for use. Grant was yet again attempting to move around Lee's flank in the direction of Richmond, and, once again, Lee anticipated the shift. On June 1, when the Federal force arrived at Cold Harbor they found Lee already entrenched and waiting. The fight, over the course of the next two days culminated in Grant's order for a direct large-scale assault on Lee's entrenched Army, which resulted in grievous Federal asualties.
LEE, Robert E., (1807-1870). General, C.S.A. . Autograph battlefield letter signed ("R E Lee Gen") apparently to General John C. Breckinridge (1821-1875), "9¾ am," 30 May 1864. 1 page, 8vo., hurriedly written in pencil. PRELUDE TO COLD HARBOR: A VERY RARE LEE BATTLEFIELD ORDER, ANTICIPATING GRANT'S ATTEMPT TO FLANK HIM AT TOTOPOTOMOY CREEK In early May, Grant had opened a massive spring offensive, pushing south into the Wilderness, launching days of hard-fought, bloody combat with Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Over the next few weeks the two armies edged further and further to the southeast as Grant attempted unsuccessfully to turn Lee's right flank. In every attempt, Lee managed to interpose his force. At the North Anna River (May 23-26), Grant, realizing Lee was too strong to be dislodged, again tried to turn Lee's flank. On May 29, the day before this letter, Lee, by rapidly moving southeast, successfully blocked Grant along the Totopotomoy. On the morning of 30 May, Grant began to probe Lee's lines. Apparently, Breckinridge, commanding on the left center of Lee's lines, had noticed Union forces shifting to the south east, and, mindful of Grant's previous flanking movements, informed Lee. Here, Lee issues orders to track the Union movement, in case it marks a general shift, but cautions Breckinridge to inform General A.P. Hill, on the Confederate's extreme left wing to follow suit, so no hole opens in the their lines. "Yr note of 9 1/4 a.m. recd. If the enemy is extending to yr right, take ground in the same direction towards left closing with him if necessary. Notifying G l A P Hill to close in on yr left. Communicate with Gl. Early & apprize him of any movement of yr own or of the enemy that wd. effect him. Res[pectfully] R E Lee." BATTLEFIELD NOTES OR ORDERS GIVEN DURING COMBAT ARE ALMOST NEVER PRESERVED. Due to their ephemeral nature, most, in the usual course of battle or its aftermath, are discarded. Since 1980, we have handled only four examples: two by George A. Custer, one by T.J. Jackson and one other by Lee (a pencilled note to U.S. Grant requesting a cease-fire to discuss surrender terms, 9 April 1865, part of the Forbes Collection, sold 27 March 2002). Because inkpots and steel-nib pens are entirely unsuited to a battlefield command situation, these battlefield orders are invariably in pencil, a medium which is is eminently portable, spill-proof, and always ready for use. Grant was yet again attempting to move around Lee's flank in the direction of Richmond, and, once again, Lee anticipated the shift. On June 1, when the Federal force arrived at Cold Harbor they found Lee already entrenched and waiting. The fight, over the course of the next two days culminated in Grant's order for a direct large-scale assault on Lee's entrenched Army, which resulted in grievous Federal asualties.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
