Lee, Robert E.

Autograph letter signed ("R E Lee"), 4pages (9 7/8 x 7 3/4 in.; 250 x 198 mm), one line of text and signature cross-written, Camp near Saltillo, 26 December 1846, to an unidentified major; very slight marginal browning. Grey linen portfolio, black morocco lettering pieces on spine and front cover.

Santa Anna delays Christmas dinner. Lee's lengthy letter provides ample detail of his travels with General Wool and his troops as they cooperated with General Taylor in carrying out his plans against Santa Anna. Lee reports: "No Santa Anna has come yet, but there is no lack of rumors of his approach & yesterday mor[nin]g it was again reported that he was in full march beyond the Gorge. The Ammunition and provision trains were sent to the rear, tents struck and wagons packed & the Arkansas Cavalry sent forward to ascertain the truth of the report etc. We were thus afforded ample time to reflect upon the merry style in which we were passing Christmas, & Santa Anna was blamed for not only cutting short our breakfast, but spoiling our dinner."  A more appropriate term would have been "delaying" rather than "spoiling"  Christmas dinner as word came back at approximately 1PM "that no enemy was within 15 miles of us & Gen[era]l W[ool] determined to run camp." Lee then describes with great detail the Christmas feast: "Then you should have seen the fires brighten up & the animation of the cooks. Three of the messes of the Staff united & invited Gen[era]l Wool & some of the officers to dinner, & by the time the tents were arranged for the tables & the tables for the tents, the eggnog made & the guests assembled, dinner was announced & I assure you I was surprised at its handsome appearance under the indulgent light of our candles." Lee then describes the pièce de résistance of the feast: "But the centre ornament riveted all eyes. A large basket of sweet oranges flanked by three bottles of the genuine Anchor Brand. Where on earth it was raised I can't tell . . . the Panas wine was abundant."

Lee continues his letter with more news of Santa Anna: "He has taken refuge behind 100 miles of territory, barren of food and water . . . Santa Anna has 32,000 Infant[r]y & 10 to 12 thousand Cavalry. He is busily engaged in preparing them for the fight, & I do not believe he will move against us till Spring." Lee proved to be off on his timing as the Mexican attack began on 22 February 1847.