A. H. Gardner to Robert E. Lee

Since your acceptance of the Presidency of Washington College I have been anxious to become a student of yours, but until now have been unable to do so - Father, as most Southerners, has lost the greater portion of his property, and I have felt a hesitancy to avail myself of his generous offer to send me to college - Of late he has become so persistent that I should complete my education, that I yield to his wish -

I hope you will not think that I underrate the advantages of an education; far from it, I fully appreciate its value, and am sufficiently anxious to avail myself of the present opportunity to complete my own -

I was in the Southern Army, and have not attended any school or college for two or three years, consequently am not as familiar with my studies as I would otherwise have been, but think that I can enter into Sophomore class half advanced - I feel that I have no time to lose. Please Gen, write to me at once, and let me know if I can enter your College, if I can, send me a circular etc, I wish to come on at once - If a recommendation is necessary I can get it from my last teacher - Yours

Most respect. -