1848 Fort Delaware Letter To Robert E Lee
1848 FORT DELAWARE AUTOGRAPH LETTER TO ROBERT E. LEE
Purportedly Written by John "Jack" Mackay – West Point Classmate and Close Friend of Robert E. Lee
Fort Delaware, July 18, 1848
Amazing content
Offered here is an exceptional four-page manuscript letter dated Fort Delaware, July 18, 1848, addressed directly to Robert E. Lee shortly after his celebrated service in the Mexican-American War.
The letter is purportedly written by John ("Jack") Mackay, a United States Army officer, West Point contemporary of Lee, and one of Lee's closest lifelong friends. Contemporary and historical sources document a long-standing friendship and correspondence between Mackay and Lee dating back to their cadet years.
Historical Significance
The letter opens:
"Dear Lee"
and discusses Lee's return to the United States following his distinguished Mexican War service. Mackay congratulates Lee on his achievements, comments on military promotion and professional advancement, and discusses conditions and engineering work at Fort Delaware.
Content includes references to:
Robert E. Lee's return from Mexico
Military promotions and Army service
Fort Delaware construction and improvement projects
Engineering and island maintenance issues
Contemporary political affairs
Personal friendship and professional respect between two career officers
The manuscript offers a fascinating glimpse into the antebellum U.S. Army and the relationships among officers who would later become prominent figures in American history.
Attribution
This letter is being sold as:
"Purportedly written by John ('Jack') Mackay to Robert E. Lee."
The attribution is based upon:
The Fort Delaware location and July 18, 1848 date.
Internal content directed to "Dear Lee."
Historical documentation of correspondence between Robert E. Lee and John Mackay.
Pencil notations present on the manuscript identifying it as a letter to Robert E. Lee.
No third-party authentication accompanies the letter, and buyers are encouraged to conduct their own research and obtain independent professional authentication if desired.
Condition
Four manuscript pages.
Original folds as mailed/stored.
Ink remains legible throughout.
Age toning, staining, and wear consistent with a mid-19th-century manuscript.
Pencil archival notations from a prior owner or collector.
Overall attractive display condition for a document over 175 years old.
Collector Appeal
An outstanding item for collectors of:
Robert E. Lee material
Mexican-American War history
Fort Delaware history
U.S. Army and West Point memorabilia
19th-century American manuscripts
Civil War antecedent material
Important Disclaimer
This manuscript is offered as a historical document purportedly authored by John Mackay and addressed to Robert E. Lee. The seller makes no guarantee regarding authorship, signature authenticity, or historical conclusions. All prospective buyers should review photographs carefully and perform their own due diligence before purchase.
A scarce and highly desirable pre-Civil War military manuscript connecting Fort Delaware and the future General Robert E. Lee.
1848 FORT DELAWARE AUTOGRAPH LETTER TO ROBERT E. LEE
Purportedly Written by John "Jack" Mackay – West Point Classmate and Close Friend of Robert E. Lee
Fort Delaware, July 18, 1848
Amazing content
Offered here is an exceptional four-page manuscript letter dated Fort Delaware, July 18, 1848, addressed directly to Robert E. Lee shortly after his celebrated service in the Mexican-American War.
The letter is purportedly written by John ("Jack") Mackay, a United States Army officer, West Point contemporary of Lee, and one of Lee's closest lifelong friends. Contemporary and historical sources document a long-standing friendship and correspondence between Mackay and Lee dating back to their cadet years.
Historical Significance
The letter opens:
"Dear Lee"
and discusses Lee's return to the United States following his distinguished Mexican War service. Mackay congratulates Lee on his achievements, comments on military promotion and professional advancement, and discusses conditions and engineering work at Fort Delaware.
Content includes references to:
Robert E. Lee's return from Mexico
Military promotions and Army service
Fort Delaware construction and improvement projects
Engineering and island maintenance issues
Contemporary political affairs
Personal friendship and professional respect between two career officers
The manuscript offers a fascinating glimpse into the antebellum U.S. Army and the relationships among officers who would later become prominent figures in American history.
Attribution
This letter is being sold as:
"Purportedly written by John ('Jack') Mackay to Robert E. Lee."
The attribution is based upon:
The Fort Delaware location and July 18, 1848 date.
Internal content directed to "Dear Lee."
Historical documentation of correspondence between Robert E. Lee and John Mackay.
Pencil notations present on the manuscript identifying it as a letter to Robert E. Lee.
No third-party authentication accompanies the letter, and buyers are encouraged to conduct their own research and obtain independent professional authentication if desired.
Condition
Four manuscript pages.
Original folds as mailed/stored.
Ink remains legible throughout.
Age toning, staining, and wear consistent with a mid-19th-century manuscript.
Pencil archival notations from a prior owner or collector.
Overall attractive display condition for a document over 175 years old.
Collector Appeal
An outstanding item for collectors of:
Robert E. Lee material
Mexican-American War history
Fort Delaware history
U.S. Army and West Point memorabilia
19th-century American manuscripts
Civil War antecedent material
Important Disclaimer
This manuscript is offered as a historical document purportedly authored by John Mackay and addressed to Robert E. Lee. The seller makes no guarantee regarding authorship, signature authenticity, or historical conclusions. All prospective buyers should review photographs carefully and perform their own due diligence before purchase.
A scarce and highly desirable pre-Civil War military manuscript connecting Fort Delaware and the future General Robert E. Lee.