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Auction: 313 - Numismatic Collector's Series - Ft. Worth, TX
Lot: 1439

Civil War: [Robert E Lee] Mary Custis Lee Wife of Confederate General Robert E Lee (1808-73); great-granddaughter of Martha Washington; inherited the Arlington estate that became Arlington National Cemetary. Outstanding association Autograph Note Signed in third person 1/2 page, 12mo, no place "Wednesday Dec 21st," no place or year (probably West Point, NY, 1853). She writes, "Mrs. Lee Will be happy to see Cadet Ruger on Saturday evening next at 6-1/2 oclock." Addressed by her to the cadet at "No 94" on verso. Discolorations affect one word, but overall VG. This was almost certainly written while Mrs. Lee´s husband was superintendent at the US Military Academy at West Point. During his tenure, December 21 fell on a Wednesday only in 1853. If that it the case, this must have been written to Thomas H. Ruger, who was graduated in 1854, and who would later also become superintendent of West Point! Ruger, like most of Lee´s students, would fight for the Union in the Civil War; he was recognized for his service at Gettysburg and at Franklin.

Estimate
$300 to $400