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152
Southern Historical Society Papers.

Letters of General R. E. Lee.

Anything that pertains to the life or character of our Great Chieftain is read with deep interest by our people, and we propose giving from time to time some of his hitherto unpublished letters. Those which follow were written after the war to his friend W. W. Corcoran—the great philanthropist and liberal benefactor of the South—and will have for our readers a double value:

Lexington, Va., 26 February, 1868.

My Dear Mr. Corcoran—I sympathize most deeply in the great sorrow that has fallen upon you and your house,[1] and trust that He, from whom it comes, may in His mercy give you strength to bear it, and enable you to say His will be done.

I know how hard it is for you to feel this sentiment; to relinquish her who has been your pleasure, your comfort and your link with the future; but think of the peace, the surpassing happiness, she enjoys, and the grief and suffering she has escaped.

I remember with peculiar pleasure her last visit to us at Arlington, and the recollection of her will always bring me happiness.

I hope you will visit the mountains of Virginia this summer, and it would give me great pleasure if you will come and see us at Lexington. I can assure you of a cordial welcome and the sympathy of early friends.

Most truly yours,R. E. Lee.

Mr. W. W. Corcoran.


White Sulphur Springs, 14 August, 1869.

My Dear Sir—I gratefully acknowledge the receipt of eight hundred and five dollars, the proceeds of the concert given by Madam Wieller, Mrs. McDowell, Misses Jones and Heald and Hon. Blacque Bey for the benefit of the Episcopal church in Lexington, Virginia, and in the name of the vestry present their sincere thanks to those who so kindly undertook and so successfully executed it, as well as to all those who generously patronized it.

Besides the material aid which this sum will give to the church, the sympathy it extends to the congregation trying to maintain and enlarge it, will encourage them to continue their efforts until they shall finally succeed.

To you, sir, who have been so instrumental in procuring this aid and in eliciting this sympathy, I offer my cordial thanks.

With high respect, your obedient servant,

R. E. Lee, Vestryman Grace Church.

W. W. Corcoran, Esq.,
Chairman Finance Committee, White Sulphur Springs.


  1. On the death of Mrs. Eustis, daughter of Mr. Corcoran.