February 7, 1922
Personal
Dear Madam:-
I have your letter of Jan 27th and am more than inclined to agree with you in regard to the mask. I know Col. Wm Preston Johnston well. He was with general Lee not only in his last illness, but when the remains were being prepared for burial. The Colonel was a member of the Committee which gave me the order for a ‘Recumbent Figure.’ And I never heard from him or any other gentleman of the Committee that a death mask had been taken. It seems to me that in speaking of the statue which was to be made they would have informed of its existence. I had an interview with Mrs Lee after the general’s death. She made no mention of a mask, nor did Miss Agnes.
It was said that some one made a life mask of the General. To me it is difficult to imagine how General Lee ever submitted to its being done if he had any idea of the process. I speak from experience. During my student life in Berlin a mask was made from my face. I scarcely would never have asked the General to pass through any such ordeal.
When I see what are said to be statues pictures, portraits of General Lee, I might sometimes be almost inclined to believe that I had never seen the original. I will say nothing of the statues, but oh! the pictures and photographs. I know one man who represented General Lee with blue eyes. It is such a pity that engravings have not been made from the photograph which the General sat for during the war. It was made for me. Mrs Lee induced him to sit for it.
I very rarely see you now as I have not been in “St. James’ Church” for about eight months. My wife was taken sick the better part of May, but I am glad to say is better now. She goes out driving and we frequently take walks together.
She send love
Remember me to Colonel Bob, I rarely see him at the club. With kind regards I am sincerely
Edward V. Valentine
To Mrs W. H. F. Lee
Stoneleigh Court
Washington, D.C.
Source: Scan of original letter, Edward Valentine Papers, The Valentine Museum, Richmond, Virginia
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2018 May 4
