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

J.L. Carrington proprietor of the Exchange Hotel in Richmond wrote to Lee to offer him and his family free stay at the hotel whenever they visit Richmond.

Abstract 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...

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Stephens heard that Lee was writing a history of the Civil War. He wrote to him to ascertain the publisher, so that he could distribute the book in his Wisconsin county once published.

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McKethan wrote to Robert E. Lee to introduce his son, who he was sending to Washington College.

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Duncan wrote to Lee to inquire about his ancestry.

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Eldeston was an Englishman residing in Kentucky. He was a “military man” and musician who taught several bands for the Confederate Army. He wrote to Lee inquiring about a position as a music teacher at Washington College.

Abstract Williams, an Englishman from London, wrote to Robert E. Lee with a clipping from a newspaper. The English newspaper “of undoubted respectability,” published an article on Lee that Williams considered to be damaging and untrue. Williams wrote Lee to give him the opportunity to deny the statement and asked permission to write a few lines in the columns of the same newspaper to deny the report. On the back, in Lee’s handwriting is written: W.H. Williams in reference to aspersion of Character...

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William M. Perkins, President of the University of Virginia’s Washington Literary Society, wrote to Lee to inform him of his election as an honorary member of the society.

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The University of Virginia Washington Literary Society committee wrote to Lee to inform of his election as an honorary member of the society. The note is signed by four committee members - Legh. R. Watts, Marius Jones, E.C. Minor, and D.S. Peirce.

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M.H. Campbell inquired about Lee’s book on the Civil War. Campbell wished to travel and sell it. He offered a piece of advice concerning “yankee” publishers.

Abstract Samuel Beach Jones was a Presbyterian Reverend from Bridgeton, New Jersey. According to “Bridgeton, New Jersey: City on the Cohansey” Jones was a much loved pastor. However, at the outbreak of the Civil War members of his congregation and others suspected him of being a Southern sympathizer, forcing him to resign. With this letter Jones shared a newspaper clipping published in the New York Daily News, but originally from the London Telegraph. He thought Lee would enjoy it. The clipping is...