The ratio of Robert E. Lee war-date LS (letter signed: in the hand of an aide, signed by Lee) versus ALS (written in the hand of Lee and signed by him) has got to be 50 to 1.  In other words, to find an ALS, war-date is 50 times harder than to find a LS.  To find an ALS with great content is truly a prize!  The letter we are offering is the finest Lee letter that we have seen for sale in the past 20 years!  Here is the amazing content of this letter Lee wrote to his brother, Carter:
                

Richmond 19 July ‘61

My Dear Brother Carter,

            I was much pleased with your letter,

your sentiments - the patriotic and classical

spirit it displayed.  It requires all those feelings

to fire the hearts and harden the news of our people

in the present contest.  They do not seem to realize

or the immensity of the stake.  It is more than life

and death.  It requires time or dire calamity to make

soldiers out of men.  We hazard too much in

precipitating matters.  The safe policy is the surest. 

The success of the forward movement you propose

could not reasonably be counted on.  Its failure

would be disastrous.  We must suffer and wait,

and if possible accustom our troops to fire by

detachments before firing a general engagement.

 

            The day your servant was in town, I expected

to leave the next, and had so much to arrange could

not write.  The disastrous accounts from the North

West, the death of Garnett, who died every inch a

soldier determined me to go to that army to endeavor

to restore it and my preparations were made to start

in the A.M.  That night reports from Beauregard and

Johnston indicated surely what is now transpiring

in their part and the President objected to my

leaving.  This now detains me.

 

            I will send to Mrs. Taylors the swords and

epaulets I spoke of.  Just put them aside in your

house.  Please give much love to Sis Lucy and the

boys.  I have no time for more. 

 

Always your brother,   R. E. Lee

When have you seen a Lee letter with such fervent patriotic content? 

“The disastrous accounts from the North West, the death of Garnett, who
died every inch a soldier, determined me to go to that army to endeavor to restore it.”

The letter is in excellent condition and is a true museum piece!  Four years ago, it was professionally appraised to be “in the region of $37,500-55,000.”  If you have always wanted a great Lee letter, this is it! 

#S16 – Price $32,500