Robert E. Lee. Bold signature "R E Lee" on folded cover headed "War Dept." to Captain William A. Eliason, Corps of Engineers at Old Point Comfort Va., manuscript "Engineer Department" in a different hand at top and another military endorsement from a Capt. Harris, red "Washington D.C. Apr. 16" (1837) circular datestamp with matching "FREE" straightline, docketing on back dated April 15, 1837, states that the letter was from "Lieut. R. E. Lee" and was an acknowledgement of his receipt of powers of attorney for the first quarter of 1837, slightly toned file folds are inconsequential

VERY FINE ROBERT E. LEE FREE FRANK AS A LIEUTENANT IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY, SENT EARLY IN HIS CAREER.

This cover was franked early in Robert E. Lee's career as a U.S. Army officer. After graduating from West Point in 1829, Lee served in various engineering assignments before he was posted to the chief engineer's office in Washington D.C., from 1834-37. This letter was written near the end of that assignment. Shortly afterward he was assigned to supervise the engineering works for the St. Louis harbor and the upper Mississippi and Missouri rivers.

Ex Creighton C. Hart and Ambassador J. William Middendorf

Image Magnifier / Download

Power Search for Comparables