Lee, Henry ("Light Horse Harry")

Autograph letter signed ("H. Lee"), 2 1/3 pages (13 1/4 x 8 1/4 in.; 334 x 208 mm), Fredericksburg, 22 March 1810, to William Goddard, near Providence, Rhode Island, integral address leaf, touching on the writing of his memoirs of the War for Independence; a few scattered stains, one fold strengthened, seal tear closed.  Half beige linen folding case over marbled boards, brown felt spine label lettered gilt.

A lengthy letter describing his memoirs of the American Revolution, which he initially wished to publish anonymously. His decision to write his memoirs stemmed from "the distress I felt when the death of general Greene was announced to me, urged to the design too by some military fiends who like me admired & loved that great & good man." He names a number of officers, Patriot and British, whom he intends to discuss in his work, including Generals Horatio Gates and Charles Lee, and Sir William Howe. Lee was among the finest and most competent of cavalry commanders, he conducted a remarkable retreat across North Carolina in 1781. He covered the rear of Greene's army by frequently skirmishing with Tarleton's troops, who failed to overcome the American cavalry.  As a businessman after the war, however, he lacked the acumen to be successful.  In 1808 he was imprisoned for debt and engaged himself in writing his Memoirs of the War in the Southern Department of the United States, which were published under his name in 1812.