2020-01 Putnal
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/18/2020
Autograph Letter Signed, 1pp., 6-1/2" x 3-3/4", pencil, in full, "Atlee's, 7-1/2 P. M., 30th May, 1864. His Esl Jeffn Davis, Richmond - General Beauregard says the Department must determine What troops to send from him. He gives it all necessary information. The result of this delay will be disaster. Butler's troops (Smith's Corps) will be with Grant to-morrow. Hoke's division at least should be with me by light to-morrow. R.E. Lee". This telegram, completely in Lee's hand, is contained in the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and included in the Wartime Papers of Robert E. Lee, a compendium of Lee's most significant correspondence. It is also specifically referenced by Douglas Southall Freeman in his definitive biography, Robert E. Lee. Lee was not an alarmist, so when this telegram reached Davis, he took the warning very seriously. As Freeman states, "When Lee used that grim word 'disaster,' the wheels of the War Department turned swiftly. Beauregard was ordered to dispatch Hoke by trains that would be sent him immediately…Before midnight, Lee had assurance from the President that every effort would be made to have Hoke's four brigades with the Army of Northern Virginia the next day. This was a good division of more than 7000 officers and men. Adding it to the reinforcements already received, Lee had now made good approximately 70 per cent of the losses he had sustained since the opening of the campaign." Lee's reinforcements arrived on time to stave off the disaster he feared, at least for another 11 months. On May 31, as Lee's forces got into place, Sheridan's cavalry seized the vital crossroads of Cold Harbor. On June 1, Grant's reinforcements arrived and assaulted the Confederate works with some success. Fortunately for Lee, he now had all the men he needed to prevent this limited breach in his lines from leading to a major defeat. By June 2, both armies were fully on the field, forming on a seven-mile front. On June 3, at the Battle of Cold Harbor, Grant's men attacked Lee's line and were slaughtered at all points. Part of the assault directed against the Confederate line was repulsed handily by Hoke's Division. With Grant unable to beat Lee in set battles and Lee unable to dissuade Grant from pursuing him despite huge casualties, both sides began to dig in; the war would now enter its year in the trenches around Petersburg.
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