Camp Culpepper Ct House
11 Nov ‘62
My dear Cousin Anne,1
I cannot help expressing my great regret that Wms2 should again have been wounded. I regret it on my own account, on his & on hers; but I particularly regret it on account of the country, who at this time requires the services of all her sons. At the same time I am filled with gratitude to the merciful Providence that turned aside at the proper moment the missel of death & which has on all occasions preserved a life so precious to those I love. I can say to you that I consider him one of our best Cavy officers. Prudent, firm & bold. His merits as a gentleman Patriot & christian I need not enumerate to you. You can judge then how ill he can be spared from the Army. I trust he will soon be well enough to require us. I believe it is pretty Luce3 that bribes him to come home on any ground. Please give my kindest regards to all your household, & accept the appreciation & love of your cousin
R E Lee4
1. Anne Butler Carter Wickham (1797-1868) was the daughter of Dr. Robert Carter (1774-1806) and Mary Nelson (1774-1803) of Shirley plantation. She was married to William Fanning Wickham (1793-1880). Her grandfather, General Thomas Nelson, Jr., was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. She is buried in Hickory Hill cemetery in Ashland, Virginia.
2. Williams Carter Wickham (1820-1888) was wounded at the battle of Williamsburg in May 1862 and then later at the battle of Antietam.
3. Williams' wife, Lucy Penn Taylor Wickham (1830-1913).
4. Letter is not in Lee’s hand. It was written in the time when the general was recovering from a fall that injured his hands and made writing difficult.
Source: Transcribed from scan of original letter, The Papers of Robert E. Lee, 1830-1870, University of Virginia Special Collections, Charlottesville
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2017 November 11
