By October of 1862, less then five months after taking command of the Army of Northern Virginia, Robert E. Lee had convinced a skeptical Confederacy of his exemplary leadership and strategic abilities, running McClellan off the Peninsula, defeating Pope at Second Manassas, and pushing the battle lines from just six miles outside Richmond to twenty miles outside Washington. Growing his army ranks, Lee was also aware of the burgeoning Confederate Navy’s situation; building itself from essentially nothing, struggling to finance new developments, and lacking skilled men, the CSN’s challenges were immense. With a new naval school at Richmond, Lee sent this letter to refer an “officer of the Royal navy,” who—assuming his character opens no cause for concern upon further scrutiny—may be better utilized there. With strong economic ties (England was a major buyer of American cotton), a large British population in New Orleans, and widespread sympathy for the South’s struggle for independence, many Englishmen played active roles in the Confederacy and remained loyal through the duration of the war. An interesting letter from the early years of the war, as the Confederacy worked to build itself both on land and at sea. Oversized. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
Monday, December 9, 2013
Robert E. Lee War-dated LS Signed
By October of 1862, less then five months after taking command of the Army of Northern Virginia, Robert E. Lee had convinced a skeptical Confederacy of his exemplary leadership and strategic abilities, running McClellan off the Peninsula, defeating Pope at Second Manassas, and pushing the battle lines from just six miles outside Richmond to twenty miles outside Washington. Growing his army ranks, Lee was also aware of the burgeoning Confederate Navy’s situation; building itself from essentially nothing, struggling to finance new developments, and lacking skilled men, the CSN’s challenges were immense. With a new naval school at Richmond, Lee sent this letter to refer an “officer of the Royal navy,” who—assuming his character opens no cause for concern upon further scrutiny—may be better utilized there. With strong economic ties (England was a major buyer of American cotton), a large British population in New Orleans, and widespread sympathy for the South’s struggle for independence, many Englishmen played active roles in the Confederacy and remained loyal through the duration of the war. An interesting letter from the early years of the war, as the Confederacy worked to build itself both on land and at sea. Oversized. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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