Original

Lexington VA:

25 May 1868

Dear Sir

There was no officer of the name of G. M. Brooke on my staff during the late war.  Capt: John M. Brooke, an officer in the Confederate Navy & on duty in the Navy Dept Richmond, is a gentleman of great skill & worth

Very respy

your obtservt

R E Lee

Mr D. R. Osborne

Envelope in General Lee=s handwriting addressed to:

Mr D. R. Osborne

   Baltlimore

            Md

Bears the following in left side:

Return to Washington College,

Lexington, Va.,

If not delivered within 10 days.