Lee Robert E. Lee Relics in My Care

[skb8721]

I run a private archives on Avery Island, Louisiana, and it contains some Robert E. Lee relics that few people are able to see; so I post a photo of them here. These relics are: 1) a letter from Lee, Lexington, Va., to William Preston Johnston, [Lexington, Va.?], 23 July 1869, concerning Lee's absence to attend the funeral of his brother; 2) two buttons from Lee's uniform; 3) one star from Lee's uniform; 4) one section of braid from Lee's uniform; and, oddly enough, 4) a clipping of Lee's hair (which I have under a glass slide to prevent it from blowing away when I open the display case!). Note the ID card I made to explain the items' provenances.

 

[donna]

Thanks for sharing.

 

[gary]

Thanks for sharing Marsh Bob's effects.

 

[Lincolncarver]

Thank you, very interesting.

 

[kholland]

Nice stuff including the letter. Do you get good deals on Tabasco Sauce?

 

[101combatvet]

I run a private archives on Avery Island, Louisiana, and it contains some Robert E. Lee relics that few people are able to see; so I post a photo of them here. These relics are: 1) a letter from Lee, Lexington, Va., to William Preston Johnston, [Lexington, Va.?], 23 July 1869, concerning Lee's absence to attend the funeral of his brother; 2) two buttons from Lee's uniform; 3) one star from Lee's uniform; 4) one section of braid from Lee's uniform; and, oddly enough, 4) a clipping of Lee's hair (which I have under a glass slide to prevent it from blowing away when I open the display case!). Note the ID card I made to explain the items' provenances.

Can you tell me what the back marks are on the buttons?

 

[Union_Buff]

Amazing photos - thank you for sharing them

 

[Private Watkins]

Fantastic!!! Thank you for sharing these...

 

[skb8721]

Can you tell me what the back marks are on the buttons?

Here's what the back of one of the buttons looks like. (Sorry it's a little blurry.)

 

[101combatvet]

Here's what the back of one of the buttons looks like. (Sorry it's a little blurry.)

Thank you!

 

[skb8721]

It's interesting to note that William Preston Johnston, who married an Avery, was the son of Albert Sidney Johnston and after the war worked under Lee at Washington College. Note the handwritten cards for one or two of the items state they were gifts of Mildred Lee, the General's daughter, who, incidentally, died unexpectedly in New Orleans when visiting the Avery family.

 

[mikekj]

So......you possess R. E. Lees's DNA. hmmm.

 

[101combatvet]

So......you possess R. E. Lees's DNA. hmmm.

We should be cloning him.

 

[Patrick H]

Very interesting. Thanks for posting this.

 

[James N.]

Very nice - welcome to the forums!

 

[Stony]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing.

 

[kel1985]

Very cool!