Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-07-19
GEN. ROBERT Z. LEE.

To u. EDITOR Of he Waig.
am deeps gFs6sd the justly merised tribute you
pay TO ~ Lss-espesy so, since Others are seeking
BY indirect mssus to undermine the confidence OF the
army and the country in bis capacity to command and
colduct the operations Of army 10 the aeld In com
mon with all whose sentiments have heard expressed,
feel the deepes, indignation at this covert attack on one
Who has shown such exalted merits such wonderful skill
and genius
You have noticed the modesy and disinterestedDeFs
Of our nob!e commander. The writer OF this-thOugh
personally unaccgantsd with him-hai often rcas'ked
upon these cksrsSterisys 40 developed BY his public
couiuO, sIUe this war began. When Virginia seeded,
she looked 10 Lee as the ss Of her sons sad called him
o orgau1, and prepare her army for the stern Wok be-
fore them. All will remember his Appearance before
Le Convention gron 40 accepted tao IssI responsible
post assigned bin he made no parade-po harR1grs
10 loud aud boss'al Prs.ec0es Of p@; but in few
sorts well ordered and wise, accepted the trust anG
pledged bis word TO iuf i; faithfully. All Il remsm.
Der, equally well the manner IN which be set about his
work ana the rapidly with which ErginiAs large Army
vas EQUIPPED and sent into the service AMI then when
it became evident that Virginia was to b. the battle.
yroun! Of the CoafedeFaSy snd the army Of the Potomac
Manassas lie, though be was the highest ia rank Of al
4, GeRera then in the s.d, "a Johnson not having
arriyec) did Tot, be mgn: well have done, demand 10
lead either o. tie Corps dAm,s that fought the great
battles of he aud 2ls JAY, but modsy gIye way
% o,.SLs,nes IA rank, while he continued in the Ia
boftus ana less noticed work Of increasing, organ z
aud 20 dipping our forces.
Afterwards, whcn Gen Garneti's fcrcss had been
driven from the Northwest aud when imperistabe fame
had been won By Johnston and Bsauregard at Mana sAs
Gsc LIE, seei- hs. the suls aud most disasreeaoI5
t-l # regailns shat We bad lost in Northwestern Yr
ri, rad TO Be undertaken by one, With the eel
sr,l:6srg patriotism Which clearly marks the man.
Assumed this PCS o. anger aud trial biuse Il is true
tast noting Of lssilg oer,h WAS gained by this North
stern csmptgu, Ia. this evidently the result #
- ec thSl we cid Dos hsyo the forces and means Of
transportation n6ces arg fer the Wok 10 be done.
Waeu this .I ri had been made and when the whole
couary h.d been alarmed 10. The ssfey of Charleston
ed Savannah BY he sudden sni expected fall 0; Port
Eo,al Ice v.h bis -e1usomei readiness for any duty
vent 20 Ibis q u ID and assumed conusad Of cur
operations here lie results of his work most
sfseo-J to tie whole country and deserve Is lasting
r,msmbrauee and gratitude. Savannah and Chnl.stoD
/ "
Cen Lee though tho enemy hss ought heir cOuquest
b. al he means in Their power, for seven or eight
/ months past
Toe next sep in this grea: mans career that would
rorce hs appointment 70 the pes', le held I'll lately
III he does ro continue to do eo OF Commander Of all
on, Armies He vss called that pos. Of ereasot labor
AID responsibility under circumstances Of severcs. ne
ton1l trial All ACKNOWLEDGED that he was Tie man for
tie place and that Precedent showed h9 diserimi'
nation when, sIom 80 many, be i=sd upon Gen Lee. As
ar az the public could observe the duirs osgacd him
there usr9 performed vi!h Aborous s5d patriotic fael
| iry srd the results which fOn0SSd-.le subsequent:
concentration Of Cur !oIces and the seres Of
TO cur srus-sbundanty prove thai, far a. be was
concerned, cur lHLrs Eers conducted with wisdom
Gen LIE YES on the field at he battle OF TIE Seven
Pines; when OR trusted and clvslrous Johnston
there struck down, he assumed command, and In less
than one month, by untring perseverance,, and series
CT s,ratsE ecs uovcments-enbsaotg in their scope
vide e1 en- of territory and The management Of at esst
so srnsf-he arranged Tor Tbs great battle week COM
Iasueng Thursday, June S5.h. When he tock COM
maud our rout without tortdcatons, defended Cny
By troops who a. every poin stood exposed 10 the
elenJ's attack and hat too without the assistance OF
single heavy gun. Very room whole front put
/ into CONDITION that enabled with snalr force 10
defend !. .gsrs: any direct assault so thai the large
body CT lie army could be Ssey spared to assist in the
splendid H,ak movement by Which tho sntnys strong
e. for a;i0Gs aud heaviest gus rendered per-
| fe,ty useess-labor and material thrown away. The
saeuy -peror il numbers vssily 60 in OrganiE ,ion
aad lsnt had % retreat with untold loss ard our
Clpis delivered from the evils Of siege ard the
doom 50 universally pronounced upon it by all Yarkse
dom aad the critics Of Europe. The proud foe hss been
driven tslOre u and utterly discounted.
Such are some Of the grand results that call for the
nations gratitude to God for raising up Commander
80 well qualified to lead her armies in this crisis Of her
struggle.
TIE modssty Of Gen. Lee, bis refusal to seek note
Trety by tie 20 often resorted 10 BY and
mediocre spirits, his quiet pursuit Of duy under every
Observation-Disclosures terrible peril well as in the face
Of impatient clAmor aRd dsrscou, stamp him great
and good man.
Ia conclusion beg to cay that have not written this
10 the spirit Of euloeisL have done 90, because
could not remain Client when migrate men seek
ing BY silence, inueudo and indireeton to undermine
the Hence Of the army IL leader and to dsmpen
the enthusiastic grAi,uis Of the people towards him.
Let them make - much as they like Of their special
favordes let them give al aid and comfort to the enemy
BY mAguifyipg the losses Of particular bFgades and d.
viSoOs; bot bt them learn that 70 Hs With merit which