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Robert E. Lee is presented Washington's sword...



Item # 702686

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March 21, 1848

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., March 21, 1848  

* General Robert E. Lee
* George Washington


The front page has an interesting article: "A Venerable Present" noting: "Mr. Custis, of Arlington, has presented to his son-in-law, Capt. R. E. Lee, of the U.S. Engineers (an officer whose brilliant services in the Mexican war have elicited the praise of all the Generals)  sword, with the following inscriptions: 'The gift of General Washington to George W. P. Custis, 10th of January, 1799. Presented by George W. P. Custis to Captain Robert E. Lee, U.S.A...the 22nd of February, 1848. This ancient saber is peculiarly venerable, from its being the only sword that Washington ever presented in his lifetime, and with his own hand, to a human being..." with more on this.
The presenter, George Washington Parke Custis, was the son of John Parke Custis, a stepson of George Washington, and he grew up at Mount Vernon. This was some 13 years before Robert E. Lee would gain much greater notoriety in the Civil War.
Four pages, nice condition.

Category: Pre-Civil War