1866 Letters

Richmond, VA - 3 January 1866

Robert E. Lee letter to daughter Agnes...your mother says her experience has taught her that when a young woman makes up her mind to get married, you might as well let her alone

Lexington, VA - 5 January 1866

Robert E. Lee letter to Mr. C. Chauncey Burr... If such is the desire of the North, there can be no contention between the two sections

Fortress Monroe, VA - 16 January 1866

I had feared that our negroes would be disturbed by the introduction of others among them, but could not have imagined that they would be driven away from their home by those pretending to be their especial advocates.

St. Louis, MO - 19 January 1866

W.T. Sherman letter to brother John Sherman...The papers this morning announce your election by a strong vote...

Lexington, VA - 19 January 1866

I have almost forgotten what it contained, but I hope it will inform you of my purpose in writing a history of the campaigns in Virginia, and of the object that I have in view, so that you may give me all the information in your power.

Fortress Monroe, VA - 24 January 1866

That power to compare and sift testimony is as necessary to a historian as to an attorney, and I hope the faculty will be put in exercise proportionate to the field our time has offered

Lexington, VA - 26 January 1866

I am much obliged to you for your business card, and the pleasure it has afforded me to know that you have entered into partnership.

Fortress Monroe, VA - 28 January 1866

Did you ever hear that Colonel MacCree refused to dine with the Duke of Wellington ? He, of course, gave no reason on that occasion, but it was well understood to be on mine.

Richmond, VA - 29 January 1866

Robert E. Lee letter to daughter Agnes ...I had quite a successful journey up, notwithstanding the storm

Fortress Monroe, VA - 3 February 1866

Men turn to the judgment of posterity for the reversal of the decrees of their contemporaries, appealing with the self-sustaining hope of conscious rectitude, from Philip drunk to Philip sober

Richmond, VA - 10 February 1866

Robert E. Lee letter to Mr. P. S. Worsley ...I have received the copy of your translation of the Iliad which you so kindly presented to me

St. Louis, MO - 11 February 1866

W.T. Sherman letter to brother John Sherman...I had a pleasant trip to Detroit

Fortress Monroe, VA - 17 February 1866

Mrs. Clay, after her return to Washington, sent me a coffee-pot, to enable me to make coffee for myself. Dr. Cooper came and gave me full instructions as to its use, making very good coffee as a part of the lecture.

Hartford, CT - 19 February 1866

Charles Sumner is looking simply at the abstract right of the thing. Henry looks at actual probabilities. We all know that the state of society at the South is such that laws are a very inadequate protection even to white men.

Lexington, VA - 23 February 1866

Robert E. Lee letter to Mrs Jefferson Davis... I have felt most keenly the sufferings and imprisonment of your husband

St. Louis, MO - 23 February 1866

W.T. Sherman letter to brother John Sherman...Sumner and Stevens would have made another civil war

Lexington, VA - 9 March 1866

Robert E. Lee letter to former house servant Amanda Parks

Lexington, VA - 9 March 1866

Can you not occupy your leisure time in preparing your memoirs of the war Every officer whose position and character would give weight to his statements ought to do so. It is the only way in which we may hope that fragments of truth will reach poster

Fortress Monroe, VA - 13 March 1866

I hope the reports of growing despondence, because of political action leading to organizations for expatriation, have been exaggerated. All cannot go, and those who must stay will need the help of all who can go away.

Richmond, VA - 14 March 1866

Robert E. Lee letter to Mr. P. S. Worsley ...Less mental labour and more of the fresh air of Heaven might bring to you more comfort, and to your friends more enjoyment

Lexington, VA - 16 March 1866

Robert E. Lee letter to General Early.... It will be difficult to get the world to understand the odds against which we fought

Lexington, VA - 16 March 1866

Robert E. Lee letter fragment to son Robert Jr... I am clear for your doing everything to improve your property and make it remunerative as far as you can

New Orleans, LA - 20 March 1866

The papers or copies sent by Garland contain every thing that I have or can get in the shape of your letters and orders.

Fortress Monroe, VA - 22 March 1866

The spring is slowly appearing and, as well as the calendar, reminds me of the many months during which I have been closely confined without any legal proceeding

St. Louis, MO - 2 April 1866

W.T. Sherman letter to brother John Sherman...I know the railroad depot and three large bridges were burned before a soldier of ours had entered...

Fortress Monroe, VA - 8 April 1866

Next to the consciousness of rectitude, it is to me the greatest of earthly consolations to know that those for whom I acted and suffer, approve and sympathize.

Lexington, VA - 13 April 1866

Robert E. Lee letter to unknown... The statement is not true; but I have not thought proper to publish a contradiction...

Richmond, VA - 16 April 1866

Robert E. Lee letter to A. W. Beresford Hope ...Your assurance of the esteem in which I am held by a large portion of the British nation, ... is most grateful to my feelings

Fortress Monroe, VA - 21 April 1866

Often has it occurred in the world's history that fidelity has been treated as a crime, and true faith punished as treason. So it cannot be before the Judge to whom all hearts are open, from whom no secrets are hid.

Philadelphia, PA - 13 May 1866

Rebecca Gratz letter to brother Benjamin Gratz... my heart claims the privilege of sharing your affliction- of mourning with you the loss of your precious son...

Lexington, VA - 25 May 1866

I am much pleased to know that your prospects in a commercial point of view are good and progressive. I hope they may regularly and surely advance.

Lexington, VA - 26 May 1866

Robert E. Lee letter fragment to son Robert Jr... I will state, at the outset, that I desire you to consider Romancoke with its appurtenances your own

Beverly, MA - 26 May 1866

I wonder if you do not feel that something is gone out from you, or are you like the flowers, that find an infinite sweetness in their hearts, replacing constantly what they give away?

Lexington, VA - 13 June 1866

Robert E. Lee letter fragment to son Robert Jr... When you have such pleasing spurs in your flanks, I hope you may be on the fair road to prosperity

Lexington, VA - 13 June 1866

Robert E. Lee letter to Dr. C. S. Garnett... I should be obliged to you, if the mare in question is the one I am seeking

Beverly, MA - 21 June 1866

Mr. Whittier was much interested to hear of our adventures.

Washington, DC - 2 July 1866

John Sherman letter to William Sherman... A man may lose his cause both in law or in war without yielding his sense of right or his pride or honor.

Washington, DC - 8 July 1866

John Sherman letter to William Sherman... Congress and the President are drifting from each other into open warfare.

Lexington, VA - 16 July 1866

Robert E. Lee letter to wife Mary... I am glad to see by your letter of yesterday that you are recovering so well from your fall

Lexington, VA - 20 July 1866

Robert E. Lee letter to wife Mary...It has been impossible for me to return to you this week, and, indeed, I do not see how I can absent myself at all

Rockbridge Baths, VA - 28 July 1866

Robert E. Lee letter to son Robert Jr... I was very glad to see from your letter of the 2d the progress you are making in your farm.

Lexington, VA - 2 August 1866

Robert E. Lee letter to wife Mary... I find here much to do, but will endeavour to be with you to-morrow evening or Saturday morning

Lexington, VA - 10 August 1866

Robert E. Lee letter to wife Mary... I am very sorry that you received such a fall

Lexington, VA - 22 August 1866

Robert E. Lee letter to Herbert C. Saunders... I have an objection to the publication of my private conversations...

Lexington, VA - 5 September 1866

Robert E. Lee letter to A. J. Requier... So many articles formerly belonging to me are scattered over the country that I fear I have not time to devote to their recovery

Lexington, VA - 12 September 1866

Mary Custis Lee letter to unknown ...will confer with you on the subject of the removal of our property

Elmwood, MA - 14 September 1866

What an anti-Johnson lecturer we have in Johnson! Sumner has been right about the cuss from the first, and I was wrong.

Lexington, VA - 26 September 1866

Robert E. Lee letter to Mr. E. A. Pollard ... I return you my thanks for the compliment paid me by your proposition to write a history of my life.

Lexington, VA - 0 October 1866

Mary Custis Lee letter to John Green ...I have not heard from you since you carried my effects to your ware house yet presume you got every thing mentioned

Lexington, VA - 12 October 1866

Mary Custis Lee letter to unknown ...if there was any hope of recovering those things which have been abstracted by the different officers stationed at Arlington

Lexington, VA - 18 October 1866

Robert E. Lee letter to son Robert Jr... I must tell you that if you desire to succeed in any matter relating to agriculture you must personally superintend and see to everything.

St. Louis, MO - 20 October 1866

W.T. Sherman letter to brother John Sherman...I see rumors of my being called to "Washington. Of this I know nothing, and if offered I shall decline.

Mansfield, OH - 26 October 1866

John Sherman letter to William Sherman... I thought, and was glad to hear, that you had a charming trip.

Washington, DC - 31 October 1866

W.T. Sherman letter to brother John Sherman...I did not call to say good-by to the President, and wrote him a good letter of apology

Santiago, CH - 7 November 1866

W.T. Sherman letter to brother John Sherman...I have not the remotest idea of riding on mule back a thousand miles in Mexico to find its chief magistrate

Ship Susquehanna (off Sandy Hook) - 11 November 1866

W.T. Sherman letter to brother John Sherman...I am determined to keep out of political, or even quasipolitical office

Lexington, VA - 12 November 1866

Mary Custis Lee letter to unknown ...it would be best to secure my property new in the Patent Office of which I enclose a list

Lexington, VA - 3 December 1866

Mary Custis Lee letter to unknown ...I am anxious you should receive this before you send the article I wrote for

Washington, DC - 3 December 1866

John Sherman letter to William Sherman... I was heartily glad you got out of the War Department.

Lexington, VA - 21 December 1866

Robert E. Lee letter to daughter Mildred... do not eat more than half the plum-puddings Cousin Eleanor has prepared for Xmas

Lexington, VA - 26 December 1866

Mary Custis Lee letter to John Green ...I wrote you a long letter some time ago concerning the furniture & will not repeat what I then said...

Washington, DC - 27 December 1866

John Sherman letter to William Sherman... the South have two months more in which to accept the constitutional amendment.

St. Louis, MO - 30 December 1866

W.T. Sherman letter to brother John Sherman...I expect to have two Indian wars on my hands, and have no time for other things.