GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE - MANUSCRIPT DOCUMENT SIGNED 10/24/1843 - HFSID 44096

ROBERT E. LEE
A two page ledger documenting the work of strengthening walls and armaments, dated 1843
Manuscript document signed: "R E Lee/Capt Engrs", 1p, 23x8¾. Fort Hamilton, New York, 1843 October 24. In full: "I certify that the above Report is correct & that the cash account there in included is correctly stated." Lee was sent to Fort Hamilton in New York harbor as a Captain of the Army Corps of Engineers in 1842. He was charged with improving and fortifying the defenses and shipping yards at this crucial Northern port. This document is a two-page ledger (front and verso) that documents the work for strengthening the walls and armaments on those walls for work up to September 30, 1843. Lee not only managed the project but, he was the dispersing agent for the moneys outlaid for the project. The scope of work is divided into two physical locations, the Fort itself and the Redoubt, which is the barrier surrounded by a parapet (a protective screen to protect troops from frontal assault) that is dominated by guns and heavy fortifications behind it. The following construction was executed on these locations: Masonry, Carpentry, Smithery, Stone Cutting. The cost of these efforts in both materials and labor are documented in both dollars and cents per effort. Lee remained at Fort Hamilton until 1846, when the War with Mexico erupted. During that war, he was noticed by General Winfield Scott and was promoted to the rank of Colonel. Fort Hamilton is still a U.S. Army base at the Brooklyn side of the Verrazano Bridge. Silked on both sides. Divided into 3 equal sections at the vertical folds, which were pieced together by clear, acid-free conservator's tape and then the document was encapsulated. Spotted stains at some areas, none touch the signature or endorsement. Light pencil notations (unknown hand) at lower blank border. Otherwise, fine condition.