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     Fitzhugh Lee was General Robert E. Lee’s nephew, the son of his brother, Sidney Smith Lee.  Fitzhugh, better known as Fitz, was a West Point graduate of the class of 1856.  He served in the United States Cavalry on the western frontier until seriously wounded by an Indian arrow.  The sixth plate ambrotype in this group was taken while he was recovering from his wound.  Afterwards he was appointed as an instructor at the West Point Military Academy.  He held that position in 1861, but like his famous uncle, he resigned and offered his services to his native Virginia.

     Lieutenant Lee served on the staff of General Joseph E. Johnston at First Manassas.  His meritorious service soon prompted Virginia Governor John Letcher to appoint him Lieutenant Colonel of Cavalry.  His original Virginia Lieutenant Colonel’s appointment signed by Governor Letcher is included in this group.  Its condition is perfect.  On the same day, pursuant to Special Order Number 289, the Confederate Secretary of War assigned Lieutenant Colonel Lee to the First Virginia Cavalry under General JEB Stuart.  This appointment is included in this group and its condition is also perfect.

     Two days later, on September 30th, Stuart received Lee’s promotion and sent orders to Fitz to report for duty as Lieutenant Colonel of the First Virginia Cavalry.  Interestingly, the order’s place of origination is addressed, Hd. Qtr. Army Potomac.  The envelope that carried the order to Lieutenant Colonel Lee has a printed return address HEAD QUARTERS, Army of Potomac C.S.A.  On the closure flap General Stuart wrote “Congratulations of JEB Stuart” The order and the envelope are in perfect condition.

     For his meritorious service during the Peninsular Campaign Lee was promoted to Brigadier General in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States on July 24, 1862.  His original commission, signed by Confederate Secretary of War George W. Randolph is included in this group.  On the outside of the commission, General Stuart wrote,

                                              “ Hd Qtrs. Cavalry Division

                                                                      July 24, 1862

        My Dear General

                         Please accept Gen’l

          R.E. Lee and my own con-

          gratulations on the within

          but I am free to say I

          reserve the “main body” of

          my congratulations for myself

          and the Bounty of having

          a Brigadier.  I hope

          you will report soon.

                           Very Truly Yours

                                   JEB Stuart

                               Major Gen’l”

     Stuart first wrote this in pencil and then re-wrote over it with ink, presumably at General Fitz Lee’s request.  This document is also in excellent condition.  A framed copy of a letter written by R.E. Lee to his brother Smith Lee congratulating him on his son’s appointment is included.

     An albumen print by Charleston, South Carolina photographer George S. Crook showing Fitz Lee in his new Brigadier General’s uniform is included, it too is in perfect condition.

     Lee was promoted to the rank of Major General August 3, 1863.  Lee distinguished himself in battle after battle, especially at the battle of Spotsylvania where he held the crossroads and thus saved the Army.  By the end of the War, Lee was in command of the entire Cavalry Corp of the Army of Northern Virginia.

     After the War he resumed the life of a farmer until after reconstruction.  He was elected Governor of Virginia in 1885.  A State of Virginia official document signed by Governor Lee is also included in the group.  It too is in perfect condition. 

     In 1893, Lee was appointed Consul General to Cuba serving in that capacity until war against Spain was declared by the United States.  During the Spanish American War Lee was commissioned and served as a Major General of Volunteers.

    One Carte De Visite of JEB Stuart and two of Fitzhugh Lee in their Confederate General’s uniforms are also included.

     The entire group is archivaly framed and ready to display.

     This important historical grouping is probably the most significant Confederate General’s archive in private hands other than Jeb Stuart’s field dispatch book.  This archive was purchased directly from Major General Fitzhugh Lee's descendants.