Robert E. Lee War Date Letter "placing of torpedoes in the bed of the river by the enemy" Superb Content Bold Signature as Gen'l.

2pp (front and back), measuring 7.75" x 9.75", Headquarters AN VA, dated October 4, 1864. A war-dated letter, written in another hand and signed "RE Lee Genl", forwarding two intercepted Union dispatches to Captain J.K. Mitchell, Flag Officer J.N. Squadron. The first dispatch was from E.T. Nicholls to Captain N. Smith, U.S. Steamer Minnesota, concerning General Butler's orders to place torpedoes in the river near Chaffin's Bluff. The second dispatch was from Second Lt. John A. Keiss to Captain Edson, concerning General Grant's orders to make torpedoes. Lee concludes the letter with his own advice as to how to proceed, reading: 'You will see by the above that your apprehensions as regard the placing of torpedoes in the bed of the river by the enemy are correct. I hope you will be able to prevent them. You must at least keep that part of the river clear in which you wish to operate." The letter has flattened mail folds with light soiling and toning. There are a few small holes at the cross folds as well as some holes where ink burn occurred. Boldly signed by Lee.

Dispatch #1: "Our troops hold Chaffin's Bluff and the gunboats are annoying them. Gen. Butler wishes some torpedoes as soon as possible to place in the river to prevent them from coming down. Percussion torpedoes would be preferred and the professor had better come with them at once. If they cannot be procured at Norfolk, would it not be advisable to order from Washington."

Dispatch #2: "Please keep four carpenters and two blacksmiths ready to go to work on my arrival. Leave here at once to make torpedoes. Gen. Grant's order."

During the Civil War, the term "torpedo" referred to various types of encased explosive weapons that were either buried in the ground or placed in rivers. Chaffin's Bluff, located in Henrico County on the north side of the James River, was a major defense point of the river below Richmond. Being just eight miles south of Richmond, the area was heavily fortified by the Confederates early in the American Civil War. The Union Army made an early attempt to take Richmond by water during the Peninsula Campaign, but despite using the ironclad USS Monitor and other Union warships, they failed to breach the defenses at Chaffin's Bluff and Drewry's Bluff. Another expedition was made on the bluff on August 15, 1864, with General Butler making some success in gaining control and distracting Lee by drawing troops north of the James River. Just as Grant had anticipated, the fighting around Chaffin's Farm and Chaffin's Bluff forced Lee to shift his resources and helped the Union army south of Petersburg win the Battle of Peebles' Farm. After October, the two armies settled into trench warfare that continued until the end of the war.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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