Lot 330
Lee, Robert E. Autograph letter signed ("R E Lee") as President of Washington College, 1 page, 8¼ x 5¼, Lexington, Va., June 2, 1866. To Wesley E. Gatewood of Morgan County, Ohio: "My dear Sir In reply to your letter of the 17th ultr; I send a prospectus of the Course of studies at Washington College, which I hope will furnish you with all the information you desire concerning that Institution. As you are so desirous of obtaining an education, I feel assured that you will make adequate efforts to secure one and as the various Colleges in the Country afford such ample opportunities, I have no doubt of of your success. Wishing you all happiness…." With holograph envelope.
Accompanied by the prospectus to which General Lee refers, signed ("R E Lee") at the end, 4 pages, with holograph date and two course additions. General Robert E. Lee is listed as President and one of the courses has a printed note: "This Course has been organized temporarily, to meet the wants of youg men whose education has been interrupted by the war." The General Remarks note that the President "visits from time to time the different lecture rooms, attends recitations and reviews and receives weekly reports of the standing and progress of all the Students…." It is interesting to note that a year after the end of the war, a student from the North was contemplating attending a college in the south whose president was the legendary Southern general. After the war, General Lee was left with no means of support. He accepted the job as president of the tiny college, which had only 40 students and was on the verge of bankrupcy. He was an excellent administrator, having served as superintendent of West Point before the war. When Lee died in 1870 the school was $100,000 in the black, had 15 faculty members, and offered ten major areas of study, including a law school. The name of the school was changed to Washington and Lee College after Lee's death. Two items signed by General Robert E. Lee.
Estimated Value $4,000 - 6,000.
Christophe Stickel Autographs.
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| Realized $5,520 |
