Description:

Robert E. Lee
Washington, DC, January 1, 1844
Robert E. Lee 1844 ALS As Chief Engineer's Assistant Re: Fort Mifflin, Where Confederate POWs Would Be Held 20 Years Later!
ALS

A 1p autograph letter signed by Robert E. Lee (1807-1870), future Confederate General-in-Chief, then in his role as Captain, and Assistant to the Chief Engineer of the U.S. Army, as "R E Lee" at center right. Engineering Department, Washington, D.C. January 1, 1844. Inscribed on pale blue blue-lined paper, once probably bifold but neatly sheared along the left edge. Isolated surface abrasions at upper right touching the day and month of the date could indicate discrete professional restoration. A former collector's pencil inscription can be found near the left margin. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds. Else near fine. 7.875" x 9.875."

Lee wrote this letter to Adjutant General Roger Jones (1788-1852) - the longest-serving Adjutant General of the U.S. Army from 1825 until his death in 1852 - regarding planned repairs at Fort Mifflin.

In part:

"Sir

I have the honor to enclose herewith, a copy of the instructions [not included in this lot] sent to Lt Benham of the Corps of Engineers, directing him to undertake certain repairs at Fort Mifflin Penn: which I have to request you to communicate to the Comm.s officer of that Fort.

Very resp.y your obt sevt
By order
R E Lee
Capt Asst to Ch. Eng."

In 1844, Lee had over a dozen years' experience working on and overseeing military engineering projects in Georgia, Virginia, New York, Michigan, and along the Mississippi River, to name just a few of his assignments. Lee's duties were varied and ranged from verifying federally-held land titles and budgeting, to mapping, overseeing fort construction, and ensuring river navigation. In the early 1840s, Lee had reprised his role as Assistant to the Chief Engineer of the U.S. Army in Washington, D.C.

This letter related to repairs slated for Fort Mifflin, a fortification dating from the Revolutionary War, which was located on the Delaware River near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Fort Mifflin had undergone multiple renovations and repurposing construction during its then 73-year-long history. During the Civil War, Fort Mifflin would later house Confederate prisoners of war, court-martialed Union soldiers, and political prisoners.

Lee mentions one "Lt Benham" in this letter. That likely referred to Henry Washington Benham (1813-1884), a military counterpart with engineering experience, who would later attain the rank of Brigadier General in the opposing Union Army during the Civil War.

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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  • Dimensions: 7.875" x 9.875"
  • Medium: ALS

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