Robert E. Lee (1807-1870)

Robert Edward Lee was an American Confederate general and slave owner who commanded the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. He surrendered to Union General Ullysses S. Grant during the Appomattox Campaign on 9 April 1865 which effectively ended the conflict. After the war Lee lost the right to vote and some of his property but he was not imprisoned nor was he pardoned. In 1865 Lee became president of Washington College, Lexington in his home state of Virginia. Several monuments, memorials and statues of Lee have been removed or replaced in recent years including the equestrian statue of Lee on Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia which was removed in September 2021 at the direction of the state government.

"I am much obliged to you for your offer to publish the

history of the Campaigns in Virginia"

In his letter dated 19th December 1865, Robert E. Lee responds to an offer by Sampson Low to publish his history of the campaign in Virginia during the American Civil War. He explains that he will consider the offer should he give thought to completing such a work. 

View Robert E. Lee's letter [opens in a new window]

Image Rights: Library of Congress