LEE, Robert E. Autograph letter signed ("R E Lee") to General John Buchanan Floyd (1806-1863), "Commanding Army of Kanawha," Headquarters, M. Bluff, 29 October 1861. 1½ pages, 4to, pale circular stamp on recto and verso: "War Records Copied 1861-1865." Fine condition. LEE IN THE WAKE OF HIS DEFEAT AT CHEAT MOUNTAIN, HIS FIRST CAMPAIGN OF THE WAR An uncommon letter from Lee's first command in the early stages of the war. The hard-fought battles in western Virginia in the Fall of 1861 had gone badly for both Lee and Floyd (former Secretary of State in Buchanan's administration). Lee, following his first campaign and defeat at Cheat Mountain (10-15 September), informs Floyd of his plans for withdrawal and provisions for the wounded: "I advised you in my letter of the 20th of the necessity of the return of the troops under Genl Loring to the Huntersville line, & of the withdrawal of the line Legion to this place. The latter force with Col Clarkes regt: N.C. Vols: are here encamped. All the sick requiring Hospital treatment, belonging to the troops operating in this valley, have been sent to the Hospitals. A portion of the Mississippi regt...is encamped here, & reported by the Attending physician as doing well. The sick at the Blue Sulpher are improving. Some deaths have occured there, & the Hospital is badly managed. I gave in a visit to it, all necessary instructions, but the difficulty lies in the execution of orders. There is no proper person in charge...I shall visit the Hospital at Lewisburg & the White Sulpher today & proceed thence to Richmond." In preparation for the winter months, Lee writes: "I have endeavoured to find a better encamping ground than this at this season of the year and one more defensible with the present force, but have not succeeded. The scarcity of water is the obstacle. There is a full supply of provisions for the troops & I have sent back the wagons to bring up all the clothing that may be at Jacksons river for the regts. here stationed." He concludes: "Col L. Sevius Davis is in Command of the troops, who is directed to keep you advised of occurences." After his defeat at Cheat Mountain, Lee went on to command forces along the South Atlantic coast before being recalled to Richmond. Following a stint as military advisor to Davis (until 1 June '62), he succeeded the wounded J.E. Johnston in command of the Army of Northern Virginia.
LEE, Robert E. Autograph letter signed ("R E Lee") to General John Buchanan Floyd (1806-1863), "Commanding Army of Kanawha," Headquarters, M. Bluff, 29 October 1861. 1½ pages, 4to, pale circular stamp on recto and verso: "War Records Copied 1861-1865." Fine condition. LEE IN THE WAKE OF HIS DEFEAT AT CHEAT MOUNTAIN, HIS FIRST CAMPAIGN OF THE WAR An uncommon letter from Lee's first command in the early stages of the war. The hard-fought battles in western Virginia in the Fall of 1861 had gone badly for both Lee and Floyd (former Secretary of State in Buchanan's administration). Lee, following his first campaign and defeat at Cheat Mountain (10-15 September), informs Floyd of his plans for withdrawal and provisions for the wounded: "I advised you in my letter of the 20th of the necessity of the return of the troops under Genl Loring to the Huntersville line, & of the withdrawal of the line Legion to this place. The latter force with Col Clarkes regt: N.C. Vols: are here encamped. All the sick requiring Hospital treatment, belonging to the troops operating in this valley, have been sent to the Hospitals. A portion of the Mississippi regt...is encamped here, & reported by the Attending physician as doing well. The sick at the Blue Sulpher are improving. Some deaths have occured there, & the Hospital is badly managed. I gave in a visit to it, all necessary instructions, but the difficulty lies in the execution of orders. There is no proper person in charge...I shall visit the Hospital at Lewisburg & the White Sulpher today & proceed thence to Richmond." In preparation for the winter months, Lee writes: "I have endeavoured to find a better encamping ground than this at this season of the year and one more defensible with the present force, but have not succeeded. The scarcity of water is the obstacle. There is a full supply of provisions for the troops & I have sent back the wagons to bring up all the clothing that may be at Jacksons river for the regts. here stationed." He concludes: "Col L. Sevius Davis is in Command of the troops, who is directed to keep you advised of occurences." After his defeat at Cheat Mountain, Lee went on to command forces along the South Atlantic coast before being recalled to Richmond. Following a stint as military advisor to Davis (until 1 June '62), he succeeded the wounded J.E. Johnston in command of the Army of Northern Virginia.
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
