Robert E. Lee to Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee, 1863 March 21

Camp Fred^g 21 March ’63

I send you Mrs. Lee a likeness of your husband that has come from beyond the big water. He is a hard favoured man & has a very rickety position on his pins. I hope his beard will please you, for the artist seems to have laid himself out on that. We are poor judges of ourselves & I cannot therefore pronounce as to his success. But I can say that in his portrait of Genl Jackson he has failed to give his fine candid & frank expression, so charming to see & so attractive to the beholder. Tell Miss Norvell I did not recognize the likeness she sent me by Capt Taylor. She must send me her own. Mrs. Chilton¹ proposed to return to day, but may be detained by the storm. The weather is extremely harsh & unfavourable for outsiders. Genl Hooker seems to have postponed his movements till the next fair day. Give much love to Agnes & kind regards to all with you.

Truly & aff^y yours

R E Lee

1. Laura Ann Thomson Mason Chilton (1829-1911), the wife of Robert H. Chilton (1815-1879), who served on Lee’s staff.