Description:

R.E. Lee Declines Winter HQ Offer to Remain With His Petersburg Forces, War Time ALS

1p, measuring 8" x 8" (sight), Petersburg, Virginia, dated November 14, 1864. An autograph letter signed "R.E. Lee" and addressed to Mr. [Thomas Lee] Shippen. Lee politely declines Shippen's offer to continue his use of the estate at Violet Bank for his personal winter quarters. Lee had been using the house as his headquarters from June to November 1864 as the two armies stalemated at Petersburg. The letter has been matted and framed, along with numerous photographs and a bronze plaque, to the overall size of 32.5" x 22.75". With flattened mail folds, light toning and soiling, and a large, clear signature. Very fine. The hand-addressed and free franked cover that accompanied this letter can be found in this sale, Lot# 74937. Ex-Christies, the letter and free franked transmittal cover previously sold in 2005 for $16,800.

Lee's letter reads in full:
"Upon reflection I think it best not to accept your kind offer of the house at Violet Bank. I shall be located at no one place this winter as far as I can judge, but will have to be passing along the lines from one side of the river to the other. I cannot therefore see to the house or take care of it, & you had better place in it someone who can. I hope to be able to get over to see Mrs. Shippen but am obliged to this mng [morning] to go to the right, which may detain me till night. If I should not be able to see her, please present my kind regards to her & Willie & say that I shall always remember them."

With his forces totaling barely 60,000 due to the mass casualties of the Wilderness and Petersburg, Lee understood the dangers of removing himself from his dwindling army in this crucial last stage of the war. Desertions had already grown at an alarming rate, and his forces were stretched thin along a broad front. On the opposing side, Ulysses S. Grant had a robust force that continued to grow in numbers and supplies with each passing day. Lee sensed that his presence was one of the last things keeping the army together, and only personal loyalty to him would convince his troops to remain. As he writes in his letter, it was vital for him to keep "passing...from one side of the river to the other," remaining visible to his diminishing troops.

* This item has been taken out of the beautiful frame to be inspected but remains in the mat. Can be restored to frame upon request. Shipping charges will be applied. 

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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December 14, 2022 11:00 AM EST
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$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000