Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-21

were as great. II not greater. no doubt
,n ietters and papers of historic value
tner real valuation could be estab-
nsheo' Among such that have recently
come 10 light IL a letter written by Gen
eTai Robert L. Lee when a lieutenant in
me United States service, dated In 1895
anu as good deal has been done re-
eenuy ny the government and published
III 'he newspapers In regard to coast de-
FENCES particularly adjacent to Spanish
possessions, and liable. as 1t was sup
posed 10 attack by the enemy, this letter
Is quite interesting. II was found among
me debris after the Knox fire by Mr..
Charles Popham Hunt. well-known
newspaper man. and given by him TO DIR.
samuel K. Lewis. OF this city.
The handwriting Is perfectly plain and
ieSinie. and, excepting parts OF a few
words. easily supplied, which were along
the charred edges, the entire letter Is in
tact, and is as follows:
Engineer Department,
Washington, d. C.
Captain w. II. Chase, Corps Engineers,
Pensacola, Fla:
"Sir,-Yours OF ultimo. reporting
your views as to what portion of land
ought TO be reserved for defence or public
works at the junction OF ST. Marks and
Nacuila rivers, has been laid before the
secretary OF War. He directs that you
proceed 10 st. Marks, without loss of
tlme, and lay of the ground occupied by
the site OF the old fort and all the build
lngs mentioned In your report. allowing
on the outside OF the walls sufficient space
Tor an exterior ditch, TO which you will
add 100 feet space, comprehended within
the line thus described and the st. Mark
and Waculla rivers at their junction. to-
gether with right Of way reserved for
the United States. You will also lay of
exterior TO this reserve ten acres OF land,
10 be granted 10 the Tallahassee Railroad
company. in compliance with the law Of
Congress, a copy of which was furnished
with your instructions on the 10Th of
March last
Il am. &c.
(By ORDER "R. r. LEE,
Lieutenant and Assistant TO Chief Engi-
neer."
The paper is properly endorsed, and
was doubtless embodied In a report of
Captain Chase. May 5. 1875.
LEES HANDWRITING.
The handwriting of General Lee at that
date differed In detail from that of the
time when he was in command OF the
Army Of Northern Virginia, but retains
striking similarity in general outlines.
The letter Of General Lees, with which
this order, issued as lieutenant, was COM
pared, is itself very interesting and most
valuable one. having been written when
his army was in the utmost straits for
something TO live upon. 1t is the original
letter. and is in possession OF the Con-
federate Veteran Association Of this city,
which also owns the original draft Of Cen
eral Lees farewell address to his soldiers
after the surrender at Appomattox. The
letter referred to above is a characteristic
one, full Of pathos. announcing the plight
of his men before they were surrendered
1t reads as follows:
Amelia, c. H., Apl., '65.
ITO the Citizens Of Amelia c. H.. &C.:
"The army of n. Va. has arrived here
to-day. expecting to find plenty Of provi-
s,ons, which had been ordered TO be placed |
here by r. r.. but, to my great surprise
and regret, | find not a pound of subsist |
ence for man or horse. l must, therefore. |
appeal TO your generosity and charity TO
supply us, as far as each one is able, the |
wants of the brave soldiers who have bat |
tied for your liberties for four years. We |
require meat-beef, cattle, sheep, or hogs
-four. meal. corn, and provender in any |
quantities that can be spared The Q. |
MS and Comm's of the army will visit |
you and make arrangements to pay for |
what they receive, or give the proper |
vouchers or certificates. l feel assured |
that all will give TO the extent of their
means. Very respect.
"R. E. LEE. Genl."