Lee, Robert E. (1807-1870) to Lieut. G. W. Smith re: awaiting ratification of the treaty with Mexico
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02641 Author/Creator: Lee, Robert E. (1807-1870) Place Written: Mexico City Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1848/05/22 Pagination: 2 p. 27 x 20 cm Order a Copy
Written as Captain of Engineers regarding preparations for the engineer corps to leave. Mentions McClellan ("McClelland").
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
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