LEE, ROBERT E. Autographed letter signed ("RE Lee") three pages, To George Cullum, West Point, March 13, 1855.

Lot 101

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Price	Bid Increment
$0	$25
$500	$50
$1,000	$100
$2,000	$250
$5,000	$500
$10,000	$1,000
$20,000	$2,500
$50,000	$5,000
$100,000	$10,000

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May 7, 2015 - May 8, 2015

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Lot Description

LEE, ROBERT E.
Autographed letter signed ("RE Lee"), as Superintendent of West Point, three pages, on a bifolium, West Point, March 13, 1855.

To Captain George W. Cullum, expressing regret at his departure from the Corps of Engineers to accept an appointment [as Lt. Colonel of the 2nd Cavalry], stating his preference for Engineer duty to that of Cavalry during peacetime, and remarking on Academy business including assuring Cullum that he shall continue his work on the Register of [the Officers and] Graduates: "I assure you my separation from the Corps of Engrs is attended with bitter regret, & I recall with heartfelt gratitude the kindness I have invariably red'd from all its members. [...] While acknowledging the compliment bestowed on me by the Pres: as unexpected as undeserved, I confess my preference in time of peace for Engr. duty over that of Cavalry..."

George Washington Cullum (1809-1892) was a Union Army General and West Point military engineering instructor who compiled a few editions of the Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the United States Military Academy, later serving as superintendent of the Academy (1864-66) just as Lee had.

Creased in thirds horizontally; light soiling at creases; small brown spot to verso of final leaf.
7 3/4 x 10 inches open.
Estimate $ 10,000-15,000

Provenance:
Sold: Sotheby's Parke Bernet, New York, Elsie O. and Philip D. Sang Foundation, December 4, 1981, Lot 1192
Sold: Christie's, New York, Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Spiro, May 14, 1992, Lot 99. Sold for $24,000

Mr. Dan Weinberg, Abraham Lincoln Bookshop, Chicago, Illinois, has confirmed the authenticity of this work.

". . . I assure you my separation from the Corps of Engrs is attended with bitter regret . . . .
" While acknowledging the compliment bestowed on me by the Pres: as unexpected as undeserved, I confess my preference in time of peace for Engr duty over that of Cavalry; But so long as I continue an Officer of the Army, I can neither decline promotion or service . . . .
". . . The item introduced into my estimate for the Register of Graduates has been granted. I shall give to my successor your Mem: & inform him of our understanding as to your undertaking its preparation . . . .
"Mr. Newlands has not yet been able to finish the record of changes in the Register he loaned us. I will endeavor to have it completed and returned to you before I leave . . . ."

Mr. Dan Weinberg, Abraham Lincoln Bookshop, Chicago, Illinois, has confirmed the authenticity of this work.
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