Description:

Lee Robert

Robert E. Lee letter Re: Construction at Fort Carroll "we bury treasure instead of raising it"

 

Single page autographed letter signed, 7.75" x 9.75" on light blue paper. Dated "Baltimore March 16, 1851," and signed by Robert E. Lee as "R E Lee." Docketed to verso. Fine condition with expected folds.

 

In 1847, the State of Maryland gave permission to the United States War Department to construct a fort in the shallow water of Soller's Point Flats to protect the city of Baltimore. Fort Carroll was important for the defense of Baltimore. The U.S. government, which built the fort, also did not realize its own grand aspirations. Planned as part of what is called the "Third System" of national defense launched after the War of 1812,  Fort Carroll was to take its place not quite five miles from Fort McHenry as a bulwark against attack. The fort was planned as a three-story stone structure with 225 cannons, according to the application for the National Register listing, prepared by Friends of Fort Carroll, although some historical sources mention four stories and 350 guns. Lee, the future commander of the Army Northern Virginia, was a brevet colonel in the U.S. Army of Corps of Engineers when he was assigned to supervise the construction in 1848. He lived on Madison Avenue on the west side of Baltimore for about three years as the work began. As it turned out, construction involving such state-of-the-art equipment as underwater saws and a diving bell never went beyond the first story. However this letter discusses Lee's quest to locate a Diver for the operation, with Lee's humor showing through his writing:

 

"I am obliged to you for your letter of the 12th. I must however decline the services of Capt Kidds skipper. He does not take into consideration the difference of my employment & that in which he has been engaged. We bury treasure instead of raising it. The difference in profits you perceive is striking. My chief overseer gets only $3 per day. $2.50 per day is the highest I can give for a [S. overseer, & perhaps will therefore have to turn diver myself. I have offered $2 per day for Bellman, but do not know whether I can get them. I however expect to get a man to take charge of the Bell for $2.50 per day.

 

If you come across any good Bellman please let me know.

 

Very Truly  R E Lee"

 

The original design foresaw the fort being armed with some 225 cannon on three levels. However, in April 1861 at the outbreak of the Civil War, Fort Carroll's walls were still less than half the planned height of thirty feet. Only five gun platforms were ready and only two were armed with guns. Still, the Army emplaced about thirty cannon and manned the fort throughout the war. In April 1864 torrential rains flooded the fort’s magazines, which led the Army to move all the powder and ammunition to Fort McHenry.

 

But the wars never came to Baltimore and the guns were never fired in anger.

 

A fantastic ALS with a rare glimpse into the humorous side of Robert E. Lee.


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