1-50 of 256 letters
Letters table
No. Sender Recipient Preview Date, oldest first
1 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee Well my Sweet Cousin, I am stationary at last. I arrived here yesterday from Eastern View[1] and established my headquarters in this land of corn bread and ice milk, which I hope will be able to... Sep. 11, 1830
2 Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee Robert E. Lee I had no idea of the immediate peril to which my disclosure exposed you or pity or perchance a gentler feeling would have induced me to forebear. The first alarming sensation having by this time... Sep. 20, 1830
3 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee Miss Molly, did you ever see a poor fellow between two raw sisters, in a bustling town, returning visits for the first time? For if you have, you can only know how to pity the situation I have been... Oct. 30, 1830
4 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee We got into Cock Spur Roads last night about nine o’clock, and the Pilot thinking it too dark to attempt to carry the vessel up to town, there I lay till daylight within gunshot of this my... Nov. 11, 1830
5 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee Oh, how glad I am that it has come at last. I know it was the fault of the Post Masters, but now it is all past. Did I even hint at “unkindness” or “forgetfulness”? And as to “want of time” you... Nov. 19, 1830
6 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee And have you been sick Cousin, & your Mother too? How I wish that I had been in the stead of both. And could I have known that it would have relieved those whom I so much love, I am sure I... Dec. 1, 1830
7 Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee, Robert E. Lee Mary Lee Fitzhugh Custis As I am quite alone my dearest mother & have finished my morning’s reading which you know consists generally of Doddridge & my Bible, have got Cassy2 down to her Bible lesson. I think I may... Sep. 4, 1831
8 Robert E. Lee, Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee Charles Carter Lee I received your letter last week & though you do not touch heavily on your domestic arrangements, I judge you are gratified with the prospects at present & the anticipations for the future.... Jun. 30, 1834
9 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee My letter to Mother, Dearest Mary, will have informed you that your joint letter was received just as wewerewere embarking from Haron for Point Pele (Canada). I need not assure you of the pleasure... Jul. 25, 1835
10 Robert E. Lee, Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee Elizabeth Stiles I hope Miss Eliza will not think that I require assistance to write to her at any time, still less to reply to the sentiments contained in her very kind letter, which after so long an interval,... Jan. 23, 1836
11 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee Our Boats my dear Mary got here two nights ago, and I have determined to go at once up the river to the Rock river rapids to make the examinations there and at the Des Moines, before commencing... Aug. 21, 1837
12 Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee, Robert E. Lee George Washington Parke Custis I have this moment received your letter my dearest Father in a package from Genl Gratiot accompanied with several other letters all of which were most acceptable & I write at once because I... Aug. 25, 1837
13 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee Your letter by Mary has been long unanswered, but as nothing has occurred requiring particularly the employment of my pen, I have been Content to leave to hers, while new & fresh, accounts of... Dec. 20, 1852
14 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee I presume dearest Mary you have not more than recd my letters of the 23rd & 25th & I therefore need not expect an answer for another week. I have thought of you all a great deal since I... Jul. 1, 1855
15 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee I have read dearest Mary your letter of the 29 June, & yesterday your addition to Smiths note reached me. I rejoice that you are all well & trust everything will progress satisfactorily. It... Jul. 9, 1855
16 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee I have recd dearest Mary your letter of the 25th announcing the departure of the Peters & the visit of Fitzhugh to Riversdale. I am glad the latter is in such good health & spirits, &... Aug. 5, 1855
17 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee . . . Mr. Nightengale thought he would never entirely recover his speech though he was better. Tell Rob I have ansd his letter & Annies too. They were enclosed in one to you. I fear they have... Aug. 7, 1855
18 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee I announced on the envelope of my letter of the 17th, dearest M., that yours of the 11th, accompanied by Fitzhugh’s affectionate communication of the same date, had just reached me. I have no doubt... Aug. 20, 1855
19 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee I have recd dearest Mary your letter of the 25th announcing the safe arrival of the three drafts, & the departure of Rooney & Miss Rebecca. In what respect did the former despond of his... Sep. 3, 1855
20 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee I was glad to see dearest Mary by your addition to Annies letter, that the draft for Collins & Co had reached you safely & been so promptly disposed of that your other accounts had been... Sep. 9, 1855
21 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee I was very agreeably surprised dearest Mary this morg, to receive your letter of the 20th Ulto. On our way here, we met at the “Mission” a Sergt & one man going to Fort Leavenworth, & as he... Nov. 5, 1855
22 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee I have thought it best dearest Mary before going farther into the country, where my communication with the regular mails will be rare & at long intervals, to put you in possession of such funds... Mar. 17, 1856
23 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee I have thought it best dearest Mary before going farther into the Country, where my Communication with the regular mails will be rare & at long intervals, to put you in possession of Such funds... Mar. 17, 1856
24 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee My baggage arrived this morng dearest Mary, & tomorrow I leave for Fort Mason, where Col Johnston & 6 Compies of the Rgt are stationed. Col hardee & 4 Compies are in camp on the Clear... Mar. 20, 1856
25 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee My baggage arrived this morg. dearest Mary, & tomorrow I leave for Fort Mason, where Col Johnston & 6 Compns. of the Regt are Stationed. Col Hardee & 4 Compns. are in Camp on the Clear... Mar. 20, 1856
26 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee In my letter of the 26th Inst: I expected to leave dear Mary next day. But after dispatching it, in making my preparations, I discovered I could not get a pound of grain for my animals, & in... Mar. 28, 1856
27 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee In my letter of the 26th Inst. I expected to leave next day dear Mary. But after despatching it, in making my preparations, I discovered I Could not get a pound of grain for my animals & in... Mar. 28, 1856
28 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee Camp Cooper on the Clear Fork of the Brazos, Texas 12 Apl 1856I arrived here dearest Mary on the 9th, & the Expressman from Fort Mason who reached here the following day brought me your letter... Apr. 12, 1856
29 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee I arrived here dearest Mary on the 9th, & the Expressman from Fort Mason who reached here the following day brought me your letter of the 27 Feby, Containing the extract from the one returned... Apr. 12, 1856
30 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee I have just returned dearest Mary from my expedition into the Comanche Country, & recd your letters of the 15th 18th 22nd & 29th June, one from Mary & Fitzhugh since their return to... Jul. 28, 1856
31 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee I have just returned dearest Mary from my expedition into the Comanche Country & recd your letters of the 15th 18th 22nd & 29th June. One from Mary (Marys recd on way out) & Fitzhugh... Jul. 28, 1856
32 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee I had hoped my dearest Mary to have heard from you before this, but nothing has come to hand since your letter of the 29th June (No.1, New Series) which I acknowledged on the 28th Ulto. At the date... Aug. 4, 1856
33 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee I had hoped my dearest Mary to have heard from you before this, but nothing has Come to hand Since your letter of the 29th June (no 1, new Series) which I acknowledged on the 28th Ulto: At the date... Aug. 4, 1856
34 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee Since the reception yesterday of your letter of the 14 Ulto: dearest Mary, my mind & thoughts have been entirely engrossed by two subjects. Your continued indisposition & suffering, &... Aug. 11, 1856
35 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee I have heard nothing from your dearest Mary, since your letter of 14 July, which I acknowledged on the 11 Inst: I will repeat for fear of the miscarriage of my letters, that on the 28 July I sent... Aug. 18, 1856
36 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee I have so little to say dearest Mary in reply to your few lines of farewell of the 25 ulto, that I will return an acknowledgement on this small sheet. I am very happy to learn that you got off... Aug. 28, 1856
37 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee I have recd dearest Mary your letter of the 2 Aug from the Warm Springs. I am very glad to learn that you are there, & trust you may be entirely relieved by its waters. I also hope you will... Sep. 1, 1856
38 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee I have recd dearest Mary your letter of the 2 Aug from the Warm Springs. I am very glad to learn that you are there, & trust you may be entirely relieved by its waters. I also hope you will... Sep. 1, 1856
39 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee I am grieved by your letter of the 19th 23rd Ulto my dearest Mary to find that your visit to the Springs has not restored you to health as I had hoped. Never having heard how you were affected, or... Sep. 13, 1856
40 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee I hope you recd dearest Mary my letter from San Antonio of the 13 Ulto. It was short & hurried but will serve to show you that I had recd your letter of the 19th - 23rd Sept. written after your... Oct. 3, 1856
41 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee I see my dear Mary by the statement of my account with the Bank of Virginia Richmond forwd by Mr Marbury, that the $758.50 sent to the Farmers bank Alexa on 24 July was the amount of the July... Oct. 17, 1856
42 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee I again my dear Mary sit down to write to you from this place, & still do not see when I shall be able to leave it. The Court has been three weeks engaged in the trial of major Porter, &... Oct. 24, 1856
43 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee A courier from San Antonio dearest Mary has unexpectedly brought me your letters of Sept 2nd & 7th (Nos 1 & 2). They were as welcome as unlooked for, & give me the hope that you may... Oct. 31, 1856
44 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee A courier from San Antonio dearest Mary has unexpectedly brought me your letters of Sept 2nd & 7th (Nos 1 & 2). They were as welcome as unlooked for, & give me the hope that you may... Oct. 31, 1856
45 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee I wrote to you my dearest Mary, this day week from Ringgold Bks: On the following day I embarked aboard the steamer Rainbow, with the other members of the Court, five Comies of the 5th Infy the... Nov. 8, 1856
46 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee Another week has passed my dearest Mary & I am still here. We have however made some progress since I last wrote this day week. Delays & embarassments have resulted from the embarkation of... Nov. 15, 1856
47 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee I wrote to you dearest Mary last Saturday 15th, but as I have just learned that the steamer Seewanee which is to carry some of the troops from this place to Florida, is to touch at the Balize with... Nov. 19, 1856
48 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee Above my dearest Mary are my checks to the order of the Cashr Br Farmers Bank, Alexandria, for my Jany dividends which I transmit now that they may reach you in time. You have only to present to Mr... Nov. 26, 1856
49 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee I commence my dearest Mary my weekly bulletin. I have but little to say, except to express my gratitude at my own continued good health, & my hope & trust that you, your father, all the... Dec. 5, 1856
50 Robert E. Lee Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee I believe I announced in my letter of last week dearest Mary, that the Court in the great Giles Porter case, having exhausted all the witnesses present for the defense, has resolved to await the... Dec. 13, 1856