In 1865, shortly after the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, Robert E. Lee was approached in Richmond by C.B. Richardson of the University Publishing Company of New York. No contract was signed, but the two came to an informal agreement whereby University Publishing Company would have publication privileges if Lee completed a manuscript. For the next five years the two kept up correspondence, with Lee often requesting materials that Richardson would then search out and furnish for him. This letter written to Lee by Richardson, discusses some of the records that Lee had requested from Richardson. Richardson sent Lee a set of “Rebellion Records and some other works bearing upon the campaigns in Va” as well as a gold pen, hoping that it might suit Lee. Richardson mentioned that he was trying to gather General Warren’s report made on Chancellorsville as well the letters and diaries from Colonel John S. Mosby’s raids. He was also waiting for Robert Lewis Dabney’s "Life of Stonewall". Richardson had made a request for the documents captured by U.S. Grant and being held by the government. He suggested that Lee write to General Grant to ask for his help. Richardson mentioned that he was looking into the whereabouts of General Longstreet and General Hampton and that he had learned that General Mahone was “making his home in Norfolk.” He asked Lee if he would write an introduction to his father’s memoirs of the Revolutionary War, in order for a new copyright and reprint.