Robert E. Lee to Lucy L. Temple, 1863 February 20

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Hd.Qrs. Army No. Va

Feby 20^th 1863.

Mrs. Lucy L. Temple¹

I have received your letter of the date asking the discharge of your son.

I regret to state that it is not in my power to comply with your request, the regulations of the War Department prohibiting the granting of discharges, to young men subject to military duty who are desirous of entering the Military Institute, on that plea only. Your son is now in an excellent school of practice, and can by devoting to his books the time not demanded by military duties, advance himself in military knowledge more rapidly than at the Institute.

Very Respy Your ObtSert

R E Lee

1. Lucy Lilly Robinson Temple (1807-1887). The son in question in this letter is likely Ludwell Robinson Temple (1846-1876), who later enlisted in the 9^th Virginia cavalry regiment.

Source: Photocopy of original letter, written by an aide to Robert E. Lee, call number 25063, Library of Virginia, Richmond

Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2017 October 12

Robert E. Lee to Lucy L. Temple, 1863 February 20

Lee Family Digital Archive

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