Scope and Contents From the Collection: This collection contains primary and secondary resources pertaining to Robert E. Lee and the Lee family. Included are correspondences from, to, and about Lee and various family members; memorabilia, pamphlets, photographs, reminiscences, miscellaneous personal papers, family history and genealogy. The collection includes materials acquired from the Lee family and items donated to and purchased and compiled by W&L University since Lee's tenure as president of Washington College from 1865...

Abstract Upon Robert E. Lee assuming the position of president of Washington College, the college received a great deal of attention from southerners and northerners alike. Prospective students of the college or their parents would write to Robert E. Lee in order to request a Washington College catalogue, admission to the school or more information. Benjamin Keyser joined the Confederate Army when he was 16, served until the end of the war, and now at the age of 20 wishes to resume his studies. He...

Abstract Mrs. Vincer, of Kent, England, wrote to Lee to inform him of their relationship. She claimed to be “daughter of the peer of General Lee of the older revolution.” She writes that her father, William Lee, was the nephew of “General Lee” and “son of Humphrey Lee of Lydold in Kent.” She writes that her father was “General Lee’s” heir, although he never claimed so at “General Lee’s” death. She goes on to write that “the late General Lee I have reason to believe possessed large estates on the...

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American Publishing Company representatives Scranton and Burr wrote to Robert E. Lee to discuss an interview in regards to a “History of the Civil War” which they hope he will write and allow them to publish. This letter is a rewritten copy of a letter sent to Richmond on September 26.

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William J. Seymour served under Lee for three years in the Army of Northern Virginia. He writes to Lee to introduce a friend, Mr. E. A. Ganncheau, who is visiting Lexington to see about sending his brother to Washington College.

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Upon Robert E. Lee assuming the position of president of Washington College, the college received a great deal of attention from southerners and northerners alike. Prospective students of the college or their parents would write to Robert E. Lee in order to request a Washington College catalogue, admission to the school or more information.

Abstract R. H. Phillips wrote to General Smith, the superintendent of Virginia Military Institute at the time, inquiring about helping a friend, Mr. Stieff of Baltimore, to donate a piano to help furnish the Lee home. It was Mr. Stieff's understanding that the citizens of Lexington were furnishing the home and he and his brother wished to contribute. Charles M. Stieff was a German immigrant who came to the Baltimore in 1842. He began a business importing German pianos for sale in Baltimore and...

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General Buckner, a Civil War veteran and later governor of Kentucky, wrote to Lee to introduce a friend, Mr. E. A. Gauncheneau, who was visiting Lexington to see about sending his brother to Washington College.

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Chase was the Principle of Louisville Female High School. He wrote to Lee to congratulate him on his new position as president of Washington College. He also mentions that some "liberal handed citizens" might help to donate to the school.

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Upon Robert E. Lee assuming the position of president of Washington College, the college received a great deal of attention from southerners and northerners alike. Prospective students of the college or their parents would write to Robert E. Lee in order to request a Washington College catalogue, admission to the school or more information. T. Benton Cook was a Confederate veteran that belonged to "Lewis's Brigade, Army Tenn."