Robert E. Lee, Manuscript Document, Signed, Requisition

Description

Colonel Robert E. Lee endorsed this Manuscript Document. Lee signs off on a requisition for large amounts of clothing, approving paymaster Francis A. Cunningham’s request.

Lee commanded the Department of Texas in March of 1860, with headquarters in San Antonio. The requisition asks for $25,000 for “pay, subsistence, forage and clothing for garrisons from San Antonio to Fort Brown.  A Lee aide writes “Hd. Qrs. Dept. of Texas / San Antonio, March 1/60 / Approved, and respectfully For- / warded to the Paymaster General, / U. S. Army.” Then Lee signs a large, classic “R E Lee” as a Bvt. Col. Commdg. Dept, placing his signature under the U. S. Army for one last year only.

This requisition was made just one year before Lee and his soldiers were surrendered by General David Twiggs to Confederate authorities. A month after that Lee joined the Confederacy. Paymaster Cunningham, a South Carolinian, remained loyal and retired from the U.S. Army in 1863.

Usual toning of paper with vertical folds; minor ch. extrems.; else v.g.

Lee, Robert E. Manuscript endorsement, signed (“R E Lee” as Bvt. Col. USA) / Commdg. Dept.). San Antonio: 1 March 1860. Docketed on rear of small folio supply requisition form.