This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/1/2026
Robert E. Lee Civil War autograph letter signed, dated 24 August 1861, exactly one week before Lee was confirmed as a full General in the Confederate Army. At this time Lee was in charge of Virginia troops and here writes to Colonel Alfred Beckley, who was struggling to form the 35th Virginia Volunteer Regiment in pro-Union counties that would ultimately secede to form West Virginia. Lee, in fact, writes the name of the never-formed 35th Regiment but then crosses it out. From Headquarters in Valley Mountain, Lee writes to Beckley at Camp Shady Spring, in full,
''I have just rec'd your letter of the 21st Inst. & regret to learn that the four Comp'es [Companies] of Vols in the County of Mercer declined being mustered into Service. [''as part of the 35th Regt'' crossed out] The two Comp'es of Cav'ry named by you could not properly form part of an Inf't regt. which constitutes the 35th Regt but might join other Cav'ry Comp'es serving in the Kanawha Valley. I shall refer the whole subject to Gen'l Floyd Comm'd the army of the Kanawha from whom you will receive instructions.
The Inf'ry Comp'es organizing in Tazewell and Giles, provided they are not intended for other regts. you are authorized to muster into service as part of your regt. with the consent of the respective Captains.
On this subject I gave you full authority in a prior letter (directed to [?] Mercer Co: where you then were) which probably you have not rec'd. / As regards all your military [?] you will conform to the instructions of Gen'l Jno. B. Floyd, with whom you will report for orders...R. E. Lee / Gen'l Comm'd''.
Two page letter measures 7.5'' x 9.75'' on pale blue lined paper. Mounting remnant along verso right edge. Overall very good to near fine condition. Housed in custom clamshell box. A rare Civil War letter by Robert E. Lee regarding the beginnings of the Virginia-West Virginia fissure.