Lot 901
Lee, Robert E (1807-70) Legendary Confederate General. War-date letter signed ("R E Lee / Gen.") 1½pp (recto/verso), on blue paper, Hd. Qrs. A[rmy] N[orthern] Va, 14 Aug. 1864. Fine; edge chips at left margin and lower left corner missing, affecting nothing. To Lt. Gen. Ewell, regarding Union troops' attempts to build a canal at Dutch Gap that would bypass Confederate defenses on the James River. Lee is anxious to find out if the reports are true.
"On my visit to Howlett's house yesterday, I had a full view of the ground at Dutch Gap & could see distinctly their tents, & lines of entrenchments in front and rear of their position with rifle pits in advance. The men were concealed from view, probably driven under cover by our fire, which from the gunboats, was very accurate. The working parties were of course in sight, but I could see nothing to indicate the construction of a canal as is reported by prisoners and deserters from the enemy. Col Mayo 3rd Va Regt. who is stationed on the point at Howlett's farm, says that owing to the height of the Bluffs at Dutch Gap and their being thickly covered with tall trees, it is impossible to get a view of their operations from the highest point on his side. Small parties of the enemy however could be seen moving along the bank yesterday, and did not seem much embarrassed by the fire of our batteries or gunboats. Officers command[in]g pickets on the margin of the river, reported the enemy at work all night before last. Wagons were viewed going and coming unloading plank, also sounds of digging…The details at work are estimated to be about 600 men.
Can you not from some point on your side of the river, discover what the enemy is doing. If we cannot arrest his work, we cannot in other ways counteract his operations. Perhaps the navy might accomplish both objects. I desire you to see Cap. Mitchell and see what can be done…"
On 10 August, 1864, four days before Gen. Lee wrote this letter, Federal troops under General Benjamin Butler began building a canal at Dutch Gap. Digging was completed 30 December and on 31 December the bulkhead at the northern end was blown out by a 12,000 pound charge of powder. Most of the excavation of nearly 67,000 cubic yards was accomplished by colored troops, working under fire of the Confederate batteries. The canal was not finished until April 1865, too late to be of any military value, but the canal is now the main river access to Richmond.
Estimated Value $9,000 - 12,000.
Purchased from the late autograph dealer, Doris Haris, in 1974.
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| Realized $7,188 |
