Lexington Va: 15 May 1869
My dear Dr.
I have recd a letter from Genl E. G. W. Butler[1] of Louisiana, who had his two sons[2] in the late war, saying that Prince Leopold,[3] queen Victorias youngest Son, had expressed through Mrs. Grenville Winthrop now sojourning at the Isle of Wight, a desire to have the best History of the war between the States from a Southern Source, & that Bishop Wilmer of Louisiana whom you know, had recommended the Southern Review as the best & most philosophical vindication of the war, & that the Vols: of ’66 & ’67 ought to be included; whereupon Genl Butler wrote to the British Consul in Baltimore on the subject. If he has not acted on the suggestion, Genl B. Suggests that you might like to forward the Reviews to the Prince, & in that event if you would hand them to Mr. Wm. G. Harrison of Baltimore, that he Genl B. would request Mr Alexander Duncan, who will return to England in June, to take charge of & deliver them. My only desire is that you may have the opportunity of acting in the matter as you may place & determine best. As you may not recall Genl Butler, I will mention that about the time we graduated at W.P. he was on Genl Gaines staff as A. Adjt Genl. That he resigned about that time, married Miss Seurs, a cousin of Mrs. Lees, & settled in Louisiana as a Sugar Planter
With my best wishes for yourself & family
I am very respy & truly yours
R E Lee
Source: Photocopy of original, vertical files, Jessie Ball DuPont Library, Stratford Hall
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2016 February 9
[1] Edward George Washington Butler (1800-1888) was born in Lebanon, Tennessee. He died in St. Louis and is buried in Live Oak Cemetery in Mississippi. He attended West Point and joined the Confederate cause during the Civil War.
[2] Edward George Washington Butler, Jr., was born in 1829. He joined the 11th Louisiana infantry and died at the battle of Belmont in Missouri in 1861. Lawrence Lewis Butler (1837-98) graduated from the University and also served in the Confederate army. As did his brother, he served in the 11th Louisiana infantry.
[3] Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany (1853-1884).
