Description:

JEFFERSON DAVIS' REPLY TO LEE'S RESIGNATION
On August 8, 1863, at his headquarters in Orange Courthouse, Virginia, Gen. Robert E. Lee wrote a heartfelt letter Jefferson Davis. Lee was still agonizing over the previous July's syaggering loss at Gettysburg, and was recovering from what may well have been a heart attack. In the letter, Lee stated, 'I have been prompted by these reflections more than once since my return from Pennsylvania to propose to Your Excellency the propriety of selecting another commander for this army...No one is more aware than myself of my inability for the duties of my position. I cannot even accomplish what I myself desire…I, therefore, in all sincerity, request your Excellency to take measure to supply my place...' Offered here is what we firmly believe is Davis' retained copy of his reply to Lee, 2pp. legal folio, Richmond, Aug. 11, 1863. The letter is undeniably in the hand of Davis' wife, VARINA DAVIS (1826-1906), who often acted as a secretary for her husband and so developed her imitation of his signature that the two are often mistaken to this day. The letter, marked 'copy' in the same hand, is dated Aug. 11, 1863 in Richmond - the same day as Davis' response to Lee, and it is signed 'Jefferson Davis' in Varina's hand. At some point in time, a vandal cut off the bottom on inch of the letter, no doubt thinking that the signature was that of Jefferson Davis. It was later professionally reattached, restoring some of the text to the recto of the letter, and the ink and handwriting are exact matches. Davis' poignant letter to Lee is wonderful. It reads, in small part: '...I am glad that you concur so entirely with me as to the wants of our country in this trying hour...after the first depression consequent upon our disasters in the west, indications have appeared that our people will exhibit that fortitude...[which will] secure ultimate success...It well became [Albert] Sidney Johnston when overwhelmed by a senseless clamor to admit the rule that success is the test of merit...I admit the propriety of your conclusions, that an officer who loses the confidence of this troops should have his position changed...[but] I was not at all prepared for the application you were about to make...But suppose, my dear friend, that I were to admit...the points which you present...if Providence would kindly offer such a person for our use, I would not hesitate to avail of his services...I have impressed upon you the propriety of of avoiding all unnecessary exposure to danger, because I felt our country could not bear to lose you. To ask me to substitute you by some one in my judgement more fit to command...is to demand an impossibility. It only remains for me to hope that you will take all possible care of yourself...and that the Lord will preserve you for the important duties devolved upon you in the struggle of our suffering country, for the independence which we have engaged in war to maintain...' Professionally encapsulated, and but for the restoration noted earlier, in fine condition.

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April 1, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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