Beschreibung:

LEE, ROBERT E., General, C.S.A . Autograph letter signed ("R. E. Lee") as Superintendent of West Point Military Academy, to Captain George Washington Cullum, Corps of Engineers, West Point, New York, 13 March 1855. 3 pages, 8vo . "SO LONG AS I CONTINUE AN OFFICER OF THE ARMY I CAN NEITHER DECLINE PROMOTION OR SERVICE" A fascinating letter from a crucial point in Lee's career, with poignant implications - given his and his correspondent's later courses. Having served reluctantly as Superintendent of West Point since 1852, Lee has recently obtained (thanks to an appeal to Secretary of War Jefferson Davis) a field appointment as Lt. Col. of the 2nd Cavalry. Here, he bids farewell to his good friend Cullum, whose letter he has received. Lee is "truly grateful for the friendly feelings therein expressed which are all warmly and sincerely reciprocated. The recollection of our long and intimate acquaintance will always be to me a source of pleasure as it heretofore has been one of profit. I assure you my separation from the Corps of Engrs. is attended with bitter regret....I recall with heartfelt gratitude the kindness I have invariably rec'd from all its members. I am however consoled...that I will give place in its ranks to a younger and better man. "While acknowledging the Compliment bestowed on me by the Pres[ident] as unexpected and undeserved, I confess my preference in time of peace for Engr. duty over that of Cavalry. But so long as I continue an officer of the Army I can neither decline promotion or service and must leave to those in authority to say where my poor services can be best applied. I do not know when I am to be relieved or by whom succeeded but trust the [U.S. Military] Academy will fall into hands abler to administer it than I have been...." Lee goes on to inform Cullum of some administrative changes "for the support of the Academy," and promises to "give to my successor your mem[orabdyn] and inform him of our understanding," passes on regards from Mrs. Lee and apologizes that he has been "obliged to write my dear Captain amid rather more than by usual interruptions..." Ironically, Cullum (1809-1892), an instructor of military engineering at West Point, fought on the opposite side from his friend Lee when the war came. Initially an aide to General Winfield Scott, he was promoted to brigadier general, and served as chief of staff and chief engineer to General Halleck (whose widow he later married!). From 1864 to 1866 he occupied Lee's former post as superintendent of the Military Academy. He compiled an important Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the United States Military Academy (edns. in 1850, 1868, 1891). There, "his treatment of those graduates who joined the Confederate army is significant. Of none does he give a biographical sketch, or any mention of their war services. The record of each breaks off with the formula, 'Joined in the Rebellion of 1861- 66 against the United States'" (DAB). Provenance : Elsie O. and Philip D. Sang Foundation (sale, Sotheby Parke Bernet, 4 December 1981, lot 1192)