Thanks for the prompt reply. In light of your post and others I've read here it seems I may have something of historical interest, i.e., three letters written by G.W.C. Lee in 1870, 1871 and 1878. All are addressed to William C. Taylor at the War Department, Washington, D.C. and are in reply to letters Taylor himself had written - hence my original inquiry.

Based on my research this William C. Taylor is none other than "Billy" Taylor; one of the Custis family slaves mentioned in R. E. Lee's Deed of Manumission (among other sources) and who, it is said, served as Gen. Robert E. Lee's personal cook during the war. He is the William C. Taylor that appears on the 1880 Census for Washington, D.C. as a "mulatto," age 34, born in Virginia, employed as a messenger at the War Department. His identity as "Billy" Taylor seems confirmed by one of Custis Lee's letters that mentions "My brother Rob, your old playmate, has also been to see us..." as well as other references indicating the two men were intimately acquainted. All three letters begin with the salutation "My Dear Billy" and close "Very truly yr. friend, G. W. C. Lee."

While these letters have been in my family for years, they are not "family heirlooms" as such, i.e., we are not related to either the Taylors or Lees. As best I can determine, my maternal grandfather acquired them from someone during the Depression on one of his frequent "antique hunts" in and around Virginia's Northern Neck. Rather than take them to Richmond for sale to an antique dealer, however, he elected to keep them. They have since been passed down to me.

I am thinking of writing an article of some sort utilizing this material, but am unsure who would be interested and/or best suited for its publication. Any suggestions you might have in this regard would be most appreciated. I hesitate to publicly post my email, but would be happy to share some additional information if there is some way to do so privately. With warmest regards, E. Beach