Rare Robert E. Lee Status Report ALS 1861 Before Return To Richmond COA

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Rare Robert E. Lee Status Report ALS 1861 Before Return To Richmond COA:
$10250.00

LEE WRITES TO FLOYD AS HE ENDS THE ILL-FATEDKANAWHA VALLEY CAMPAIGN, HIS CAUTION IN WESTERN VIRGINIA A NOTABLECONTRAST TO HIS LEGENDARY BATTLEFIELD AUDACITY

I advised you in my letter of the 20th of the necessity of the return of the troops under Genl Loring to the Huntersville line, & of the withdrawal of the line Legion to this place....I shall visit the Hospitals at Lewisburg & the White Suppler to day & proceed thence to Richmond....

Autograph letter signed by General Robert E. Lee (1807-1870) to General John B. Floyd (1806-1863), Commanding Army of Kanawha. 29 October 1861. "Hd Qrs: M Bluff." [Meadow Bluff, (West) Virginia]. 2pp, 4to. Circular stamp to recto "War Records / Copied / 1861-1865."

Though Robert E. Lee is remembered todayfor tactical brilliance and battlefieldprowess even when significantly outnumbered byUnion forces, this 1861 letter reflects a commander whois resolved to a retreat from engagement and deeply concerned for the welfare of his troops.

Following Virginia'ssecession ordinance (17 April 1861),Lee assumed command of all Virginia state forces while simultaneously Virginians in the largely non-slaveholding, mountainous areas in the northwest of the state sought to solidify their place in the Union. The battle to secure western Virginia would soon commence. Union forces under General George B. McClellan entered the western portion of the stateto prevent Confederate occupation and secure key transportation infrastructure. GeneralsJohn B. Floyd and Henry A. Wise were placed in charge of Confederate troops in the Kanawha Valley region.General Robert E. Lee was sent to oversee the three-month campaign which culminatedin a defeat for Lee at the Battle of Cheat Mountain.