Basic HTML Version
“CONSOLATION IS VERY HARD WHEN . . .
YOUR OWN HEART REQUIRES IT”
210
●
LEE, ROBERT E. Autograph Letter Signed, “R ELee,” to General Edward G.W.
Butler, regarding the death of Lee’s brother [Sydney Smith Lee], giving news concerning
family and friends, expecting that Mr. Peabody’s donation would help bring education to
the South, remarking that thanks are due to him from Prince Leopold for some books,
claiming that [George] Bancroft’s
History
contains errors and wrongly disparages the South,
and remarking upon poor crop yields due to draught. 5 pages, 8vo, written on a folded
sheet and one side of an additional leaf, ruled paper; many small corrections throughout in
an unknown hand, evenly toned. With the original envelope, addressed in his hand. (AKF)
White Sulphur Springs, 27 August 1869
[1,500/2,500]
“
. . . I was called . . . by the death of my brother Smith, a truly sad event to me, & went from
there . . . to see my poor sisters, his wife, who had been so overwhelmed at his sudden death as
to be unable to attend his funeral. The attempt to give consolation is very hard, when . . . your
own heart requires it. . . .
“
. . . Mr. Bancroft has given action to many pens, in correcting the errors of his
History
. There
is one thing that he never fails to do, on every occasion: to disparage the South, & all things
belonging to it. I have ceased to read him, or to care for his words. . . .”