{"product_id":"confederate-general-robert-e-lee-handwritten-letter-to-davis-lawyer-psa-auto","title":"Confederate General Robert E. Lee Handwritten Letter to Davis' Lawyer PSA Auto","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow\"\u003e\u003cdiv data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"4768cd14-891c-4a50-9013-d1cb8437615c\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-5-3\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-1\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert w-full wrap-break-word light markdown-new-styling\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"43\" data-end=\"187\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"43\" data-end=\"53\"\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"53\" data-end=\"56\"\u003e\nRobert E. Lee ALS to Charles O’Conor, Jefferson Davis' Lawyer - Defended for Treason Charges After Civil War – PSA\/DNA Certified Autograph Letter Signed (Lexington, VA, March 12, 1867; Cert. #85797279)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"189\" data-end=\"433\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"189\" data-end=\"205\"\u003eDescription:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"205\" data-end=\"208\"\u003e\nAutograph Letter Signed (ALS) by Robert E. Lee, dated “Lexington Va: 12 March 1867,” written entirely in his hand on period lined paper. The letter is neatly penned in iron gall ink and signed “R. E. Lee” at the conclusion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"435\" data-end=\"466\"\u003eThe full transcription reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"468\" data-end=\"978\"\u003e“My dear Sir\u003cbr data-start=\"480\" data-end=\"483\"\u003e\nYour note of the 6th Inst: to the Rev. S. H. Moore has been forwarded to me by Gen’l Ruggles. I have informed the latter that in compliance with your wishes, his Son Mr. B. Ruggles will be admitted into Washington College whenever qualified to enter. I hope Mr. Ruggles will so appreciate your kindness, that by faithful application to his studies, he may obtain the full benefit of the opportunity you have given him for acquiring an education.\u003cbr data-start=\"926\" data-end=\"929\"\u003e\nWith great respect\u003cbr data-start=\"947\" data-end=\"950\"\u003e\nYour obt Servt\u003cbr data-start=\"964\" data-end=\"967\"\u003e\nR. E. Lee\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"980\" data-end=\"1003\"\u003eHonble Chas. O’Conor”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1005\" data-end=\"1219\"\u003eThe letter concerns the admission of a student to Washington College (now Washington and Lee University), reflecting Lee’s active administrative role as president. The handwriting is clear and legible throughout.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1221\" data-end=\"1387\"\u003eEncapsulated and authenticated by PSA\/DNA, with the label reading:\u003cbr data-start=\"1287\" data-end=\"1290\"\u003e\n“LETTER\u003cbr data-start=\"1297\" data-end=\"1300\"\u003e\nROBERT E. LEE\u003cbr data-start=\"1313\" data-end=\"1316\"\u003e\nPSA\/DNA CERTIFIED\u003cbr data-start=\"1333\" data-end=\"1336\"\u003e\nAUTHENTIC AUTO”\u003cbr data-start=\"1351\" data-end=\"1354\"\u003e\nCertification number: 85797279.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1389\" data-end=\"1555\"\u003eCondition appears very good, with light toning and expected age-related wear. The document remains well-preserved and highly legible within its protective PSA slab.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1557\" data-end=\"1964\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1557\" data-end=\"1580\"\u003eHistorical Context:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1580\" data-end=\"1583\"\u003e\nThis letter dates to Robert E. Lee’s post-Civil War presidency of Washington College in Lexington, Virginia, where he devoted himself to education and the rebuilding of Southern society following the Confederacy’s collapse. His correspondence often reflects a focus on student advancement, discipline, and opportunity, as seen in this recommendation and admission-related letter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1966\" data-end=\"2284\"\u003eThe recipient, Charles O’Conor (1804–1884), was one of the most prominent American attorneys of the 19th century. He later served on the legal team defending Jefferson Davis against treason charges after the Civil War and was nominated for President of the United States in 1872 by the Straight-Out Democratic Party.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2286\" data-end=\"2778\"\u003eThe reference to “Gen’l Ruggles” is to Daniel Ruggles (1810–1897), a Confederate general who served in various commands during the Civil War, including at the Battle of Shiloh. After the war, Ruggles remained active in Southern civic and professional circles and, like Lee, was involved in educational and social rebuilding efforts. His role in forwarding the correspondence illustrates the interconnected network of former Confederate leaders and influential figures during Reconstruction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2780\" data-end=\"2973\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2780\" data-end=\"2815\"\u003eAuthentication \u0026amp; Encapsulation:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2815\" data-end=\"2818\"\u003e\nPSA\/DNA authenticated and encapsulated autograph letter signed (Cert. #85797279), preserved in a secure archival holder with full certification labeling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"2974\" data-end=\"3197\"\u003e\u003cli data-section-id=\"1oqo8gg\" data-start=\"2974\" data-end=\"3197\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2976\" data-end=\"3197\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2976\" data-end=\"3018\"\u003eAdditional Documentation \u0026amp; Provenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem data-start=\"3019\" data-end=\"3195\"\u003eAt buyer’s request, Historical Autographs Gallery will include an additional “Historical Autographs Gallery Certificate” signed by our company founder Luke Pascal at no cost.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3199\" data-end=\"3608\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3199\" data-end=\"3218\"\u003eClosing Appeal:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3218\" data-end=\"3221\"\u003e\nThis historically rich ALS from Robert E. Lee not only highlights his postwar dedication to education but also connects three significant 19th-century figures—Lee, Charles O’Conor, and General Daniel Ruggles. With strong content, full transcription, and PSA authentication, it represents an exceptional and desirable artifact for collectors of Civil War and Reconstruction-era history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3610\" data-end=\"4042\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3610\" data-end=\"3630\"\u003eShipping Notice:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3630\" data-end=\"3633\"\u003e\n\u003cem data-start=\"3633\" data-end=\"4042\" data-is-last-node=\"\"\u003eFor insurance purposes, items sold over $600 may require signature confirmation upon delivery. Higher-value items, likely over $1,500, are shipped via FedEx 2-Day with Direct Signature Confirmation. FedEx provides the most flexibility when requiring a signature, allowing you to make special delivery requests directly through their tracking system. This ensures both security and convenience for the buyer.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"z-0 flex min-h-[46px] justify-start\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"H.A.G.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47469899743395,"sku":"EB-168242063286","price":5495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/7509\/6227\/files\/57_d3f40665-8326-4965-8917-07f2873a2e32.jpg?v=1773799630","url":"https:\/\/historicalautographsgallery.com\/products\/confederate-general-robert-e-lee-handwritten-letter-to-davis-lawyer-psa-auto","provider":"H.A.G.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}