Letter signed by Robert E. Lee to Charles G. Talcott. Headquarters, Army of Northern Virginia, 30 January 1865. 2 pages, 4to, visible 8 1/4 x 10 1/2 in. Presented in double frame, 14 x 16 1/2 in. 

Major General Robert E. Lee writes to Captain in the 4th Virginia Infantry, Richmond defense force, and Railroad executive Charles G. Talcott. Talcott's father was Andrew Talcott (1797-1883), a civil engineer, railroad executive, West Point graduate, and close friend of Robert E. Lee. 

Here Lee addresses the state of the railroads and his view of the companies' responsibility to the Confederacy: "I am aware of the great difficulties that attend the working of the roads under your charge, and never supposed that the deficiencies complained of proceeded from any want of inclination or effort on your part to do all in your power. Indeed I was informed that you always manifested entire willingness to do what was required of you as far as you could. I think the present arrangement for the management of the roads much better than the former, which imposed upon you such onerous duties. I consider that Rail Road Companies are as much bound to sacrifice their pecuniary interests to the public good in our struggle for existence as individuals. The privileges they enjoy require this return to the public, and the interests of the stockholder must yield to the interest and safety of the country."

WITH Partly printed document completed in manuscript signed by Charles G. Talcott. Richmond, Virginia, 21 April 1865. 1 page, 4to, on Headquarters Department of Virginia letterhead. Framed to 14 x 16 1/2 in.

Captain Talcott's prisoner of War parole permitting him to return to his home in Georgetown, Washington, D.C.

A fine Lee signature from a close Lee associate. 

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