Robert E. Lee to Lieut. G. W. Smith on awaiting ratification of the treaty with Mexico - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

Keyboard Shortcuts

The full content of this document is only available to subscribing institutions. More information can be found via www.amdigital.co.uk

Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC02641
From Archive Folder	Documents Relating to 1848
Title	Robert E. Lee to Lieut. G. W. Smith on awaiting ratification of the treaty with Mexico
Date	22 May 1848
Author	Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward) (1807-1870)
Recipient	Smith, G. W.
Document Type	Correspondence; Military document
Content Description	Written as Captain of Engineers regarding preparations for the engineer corps to leave. Mentions McClellan ("McClelland").
Subjects	Mexican War Confederate General or Leader Treaty Diplomacy Global History and Civics Latin and South America Military History Government and Civics
People	Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward) (1807-1870)
Place written	Mexico City, Mexico
Theme	Government & Politics; Foreign Affairs; The Mexican War; Westward Expansion
Sub-collection	The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
Transcript	Show/hide City of Mexico 22 May 1848 Lt. G. W. Smith Comm. Engineer Compy City of Mexico Sir You will proceed by the first opportunity to Vera Cruz. Collect all the property appertaining to the Engineer Company at that place, make an inventory of the same & place it in the hands of the Qr. Master of the Post for reshipment to the Mil: Academy, West Point, U.S. in the event of peace. [insert: Such property as can be advantageously disposed of, replaced in the U.S. & difficulty of transportation, can be sold.] You will then repair to Drazos Santiago & [struck: Camarzo] Matamoros; & make similar arrangements, for all the property of the Company deposited at those points, after which, should you receive certain intelligence of the interchange of the Treaty of Peace between the American & Mexican Authorities, or that the American Army is on its march out of the country, you will proceed to West Point, NY & rejoin your Company. Otherwise you will return to Vera Cruz & rejoin it in this Country. You will please call upon the Qr. Masters at the several points mentioned, in the name of Major Genl Butler for any assistance you may require, & to aid the you in these duties, you will take with you a non-comm[issione]d officer & private of the Eng[inee]r comp[an]y who will rejoin their Comp[an]y either at West Point or in this country under the same conditions prescribed for yourself. You will turn over to Lt. G. B. McClellan the command of the Engineer Comp[an]y & all the property belonging to it in this city, and shall rejoin it. About the 25 April 1847, a large detailed map of the Castle [2] of Perote, enclosed in a flat box & directed to Col. Jos. G. Totten Chief Engineer, Washington, was sent down to Vera Cruz by Major Genl Worth, in the first train that left Jalappa after the Army reached there to be forwarded to the U.S. according to its direction. I have been informed by the Chief Engineer that it has never reached him. You will please make diligent inquiry after it from the Q. M[aste]r at Vera Cruz, to whose care it was sent & endeavor to recover or trace it out. In the former case you will please have it forwarded to Col. Totten. By order of Major Genl Butler R. E. Lee Capt. & Gen. Engineer with the Army in Mexico

Previous Item Next Item