Lexington, Va: 6 June 1870
My dear Cassius,
I am very much obliged to you for your letter of the 1st & the interest you evince in the character of the people of the South & their defence of the rights which they believed were guarantied by the Constitution. The reputation of individuals is of minor importance to the opinion which posterity may form of the motives which governed the South in their late struggle for the maintenance of the principles of the Constitution. I hope therefore that a true history will be written & justice be done them. A history of the military events of the period would be also desirable, & I have had it in view to write one of the campaigns in Virginia in which I was more particularly engaged. I have already collected some materials for the work, but lack so much that I wish to obtain that I have not commenced the narrative. I am very much obliged to you for the offer of the materials which you have collected. I think it probable that I have all the official reports, & I would not like to resort to any other resource for a statement of facts. I will however recollect your kind proposition & if I should ever want the use of your records I will not hesitate to apply for them.
With my kind remembrance to your father, Sisters & Mrs. Turner,
I am very truly,
Your Cousin,
R E Lee
C. F. Lee, Jr.
Alexandria, VA
Source: The Archives of the Robert E. Lee Memorial Foundation, Papers of the Lee Family, Box 6, M2009.389, Jessie Ball duPont Library, Stratford Hall
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2015 October 13
