U.S. Mil: Acady West Point 24 Jany. 1853
My dear Sir.
I have recd your letter of the 20th Inst, in reference to your brother, & have agreeably to your request again consulted Prof: Church upon his case.
I see no probability of the Academic Board coming to no other decision than that which has already been submitted to the Secy. of War, nor would they have any ground for reexamining him, more than every other Cadet in the Corps.
I sincerely regret the result of your brothers examination, but I can do nothing in the matter, and I assure you I would require no other application than his own to do all I could in his favor.
I am very respy. Your obt Servt.
(Signed) R. E. Lee. Bvt: Col:
Supt: Mil: Acady
Superintendent's Daily Correspondence United States Military Academy
Superintendent's Letter Book No. 2, p. 318. Addressed “Mr R. C. Ricketts Elkton. Cecil Co. Md.”