A CLASSIC CIVIL WAR AUTOBIOGRAPHY, THE COPY OF CONFEDERATE MAJOR-GENERAL FITZHUGH LEE, TWICE SIGNED BY HIM

GRANT, Ulysses S. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant. New York: Charles L. Webster, 1894. Thick octavo, original silver- and gilt-stamped green cloth. $4200.

Later one-volume edition of Grant’s Memoirs, twice signed in pencil by Confederate General Fitzhugh Lee.

"Grant's memoirs comprise one of the most valuable writings by a military commander in history" (Eicher 492). After an ineffectual term as president, ruined by bankruptcy and dying of throat cancer, Grant agreed to publish his memoirs to provide a measure of economic security for his family. Mark Twain agreed to serve as the publisher. Struggling to dictate his notes to a stenographer, Grant finished his memoirs shortly before his death in the summer of 1885. The two-volume first edition was published during 1885-1886. This later one-volume edition is illustrated with numerous photographs (some of engravings), facsimiles, and maps. This later one-volume edition is illustrated with numerous photographs (some of engravings), facsimiles, and maps. Fitzhugh Lee was the nephew of Gen. Robert E. Lee and grandson of "Light-Horse Harry" Lee. He served the Confederacy as a key officer of cavalry (commander of the Calvary Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia). Less well known than Confederate officers like J.E.B. Stuart, "Lee was nevertheless a competent and effective leader of mounted troops who significantly aided the Confederate cause." Lee went on to became governor of Virginia. "After leaving office, he made an unsuccessful bid for nomination by the Democratic Party to the U.S. Senate but was later appointed Consul-General to Havana, Cuba. At that time, revolutionary fervor was strong against the Spanish, but Lee exercised restraint in the effort to protect American interests in Cuba. When it was decided to send a war vessel to Havana, he cabled the State Department recommending against it but was informed that a ship had already been dispatched. Subsequent to the sinking of that ship—the Maine—Lee was confirmed Major General of Volunteers and became Brigadier General of Volunteers during the Spanish-American War, retiring in 1901. He authored 'Chancellorsville,' an account in the Southern Historical Society Papers (1879) and General Lee (1894)" (National Governors Association).

A few spots of soiling to interior, front inner paper hinge split, some light spotting and wear to original cloth. A very good copy, with intriguing provenance.