Commander of the Confederate States Army during the War Between the States

1860 Endorsement Signed With Rank, San Antonio, Texas

(1807-1870) Born at Stratford, in Westmoreland County, Va. Son of the legendary Revolutionary War hero, "Lighthorse Harry" Lee. Graduated #2 in the West Point class of 1829 without a single demerit to his name in 4 years! He emerged from the Mexican War with one wound, three brevets for gallantry, a brilliant reputation, and the ever lasting esteem of the commanding General of the U.S.A., Winfield Scott, who said Lee was "the very best soldier that I ever saw in the field." Served as Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy, 1852-55, and commanded the detachment that captured John Brown at Harper's Ferry in 1859. Turned down the command of the Union Army in 1861, as he said he could never raise his sword against his native Virginia. Instead he was appointed commander of all military forces of Virginia, and soon after general in the Regular Army of the Confederate States of America. During the War Between The States, he commanded the Army of Northern Virginia at such battlefields as 2nd Manassas, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Petersburg, Richmond and Appomattox. His reputation became legendary and he might very well be the most famous soldier in American history! In the last years of his life, he served as president of Washington College at Lexington, Va. (now Washington & Lee Univ.) where he is buried in the chapel.

1860 Endorsement Signed With Rank

9 3/4 x 15 1/2, imprinted form filled out and signed in ink.

Estimate of funds required for the pay, subsistence, forage and clothing of the troops of the United States, of which F.A. Cunningham is Paymaster, from the 1st of March, 1860, to the 1st of May, 1860, two months, founded on the actual number of said troops. This invoice includes companies of the 2nd U.S. Cavalry, 1st U.S. Artillery, and the 8th U.S. Infantry. Also has account for the Officers of the Cavalry, Artillery, Infantry, Hospital and Surgeons. Dated at San Antonio, Texas, Feb. 29, 1860. Signed by F.A. Cunningham, Paymaster U.S. Army.

Endorsement on the reverse:

Estimate of funds to pay the troops on the line from San Antonio to Fort Brown, from the 29 February to 30 April 1860, by F.A. Cunningham, Paymaster.

Hd. Qrs. Dept. of Texas, San Antonio, March/60. Approved and Respectfully forwarded to the Paymaster General, U.S. Army. R.E. Lee, Bvt. Col. U.S.A., Comdg. Dept. Sent 6 April. Recd. Dept. Tex., Feb. 29/60. P.M.G. March 15/60.

Francis A. Cunningham, who also signed this document, was from South Carolina, and he was appointed paymaster of U.S. Volunteers on December 30, 1847. He was promoted to the rank of major on March 2, 1849, and died during the Civil War on August 16, 1864.

Light age toning, some soiling, and fold wear. Absolutely beautiful signature of Robert E. Lee, with rank of Colonel, and his title as Commanding the Department. Large, bold, and neatly written. Extremely desirable! A year later Colonel Lee would resign his commission in the United States Army, and join the Confederacy as General. He commanded the legendary Army of Northern Virginia, and the entire southern army in 1865.