Lot 76
Lee, Robert E. -- Lee Explains Why a Future Union General Has Been Disciplined (1807-1870) CSA Commanding General. Autograph letter signed "R.E. Lee" as Br. Col. while Superintendent of West Point, 1¼ pp, 9¾ x 7¾", West Point, Dec. 30, 1853. To General George H. Devereux, explaining why his son was disciplined. In large part: "It would not be proper for me to write to the Sec'y of War as you request in relation to your son. Having officially reported the facts in his case, as well as in the case of the other Cadets, should he desire any further information from me, he will call for it.- In that event it will give me great pleasure to state all the circumstances in their favour. In reply to your inquiry as to his demerit, I am happy to inform you, that up to the 16th Inst: he had not increased the amount formerly reported to you, viz: 90. In his conduct that night, however, he violated several reg[ulatio]ns of the Acad[em]y, viz: absent from his quarters: having spirit in his possession: not halting when ordered &c., which with some acts he has since committed, not of so grave a character, will I am sorry to say cause his amount to exceed 100…."
The 15-year-old Arthur Devereux dropped out of West Point but went on to have a distinguished military career. He was interested in Zouave, the French precision drill style and rose to Captain of the Salem Light Infantry in 1859. During the Battle of Gettysburg, he fought with the 19th Massachusetts against Lee's forces, plugging the hole made by the Confederate soldiers at Pickett's Charge. He was brevetted Brigadier General, US Volunteers on March 13, 1865 for "gallant services during the war." Estimate Value $4,000 - UP
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| Realized $4,200 |
