Robert E. Lee Seeks to Stop the Yankee Advance in North Carolina, Late 1864.

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/6/2021

Autograph Letter Signed, "R.E. Lee", 8" x 2-1/2", 1pp., Petersburg, December 18, 1864, in full "Gen'l Leventhorpe. Tarborough, NC., ... Col. Gaillard will notify you of reported movement of troops against NC. Ascertain truth if possible & endeavor to thwart enemy's plans".Collett Leventhorpe (May 15, 1815 - December 1, 1889) was a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. When North Carolina seceded Leventhorpe offered his military services to his adopted state. His community standing and military background won him the rank of colonel in the 34th North Carolina Infantry. ... After helping repulse an attack during the Siege of Washington, in April 1863, Pettigrew's Brigade joined General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia for the Gettysburg Campaign as part of Major General Henry Heth's division in Lieutenant General A. P. Hill's Corps. With the rest of Heth's command, the 11th North Carolina participated in the July 1 fighting at the Battle of Gettysburg. Leventhorpe was seriously wounded in fighting against the Iron Brigade after flanking the 19th Indiana south of Herbst's Woods. He was wounded in the left arm, shattering the bone, and hip and was removed from the field. Leventhorpe was captured by Union cavalry during the retreat to Virginia. ... After he was released, he resigned his commission with the 11th North Carolina and took command of one of the North Carolina Home Guard brigades tracking down deserters. He was later commissioned brigadier general of state troops and he defended the Roanoke River, Fort Branch, and the Petersburg & Weldon Railroad. His state generalship made him the Confederacy's only English born soldier to hold that rank. On February 18, 1865, he also became a Brigadier General in the Confederate ranks. Leventhorpe was one of Lee's favorites and on January 20, 1865 Lee wrote in part, .... I also recommend that General Leventhorpe, in the State service, be commissioned in the Confederate service, and ordered to report to General Bragg. He is the best officer in that district, and General Bragg will want him."

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