Details
LEE, ROBERT E., General, C.S.A. Letter signed ("R E Lee Maj. Gen. Comm[anding]") to Colonel St. George Cocke at Culpepper Court House; "Head Quarters, Va. Forces," Richmond, 7 May 1861. One page, 4to, three tiny punctures in blank margin (where filed by recipient?).
Further orders from the commander, setting up the "thin grey line" in northern Virginia. "In my letter to you of May 3rd you were instructed to send an officer to Lynchburg to muster into the service of the State, Volunteer Companies from the Counties of Campbell, Bedford, Roanoke, Bottetourt & Craig. Lieutenant Colonel D.A. Langhorne, having been since ordered to muster these, together with Troops from other Counties...you need not send an Officer to Lynchburg....After the troops from the above named Counties are mustered into service...you are requested to order them to such point in your line as you may deem most advantageous...."
Provenance:
Unnamed owner (sale, Christie's, 1 October 1980, lot 62).
Further orders from the commander, setting up the "thin grey line" in northern Virginia. "In my letter to you of May 3rd you were instructed to send an officer to Lynchburg to muster into the service of the State, Volunteer Companies from the Counties of Campbell, Bedford, Roanoke, Bottetourt & Craig. Lieutenant Colonel D.A. Langhorne, having been since ordered to muster these, together with Troops from other Counties...you need not send an Officer to Lynchburg....After the troops from the above named Counties are mustered into service...you are requested to order them to such point in your line as you may deem most advantageous...."
Provenance:
Unnamed owner (sale, Christie's, 1 October 1980, lot 62).