Sender: B. H. Covington
Recipient: Robert E. Lee

My Dear Sir.

You will oblige by sending me a Catalogue of Washington College. I hope to place my two sons under your care in the course of a year. Present appearances however, seem to indicate that our avaricious enemy will not leave us the means to educate our Children.

For the future of the South, I feel the most anxious solicitude. Accept for yourself and family, my best wishes for your health, happiness and prosperity, and Believe me,