The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1865-10-04
Gen. Lee and the Rebellion.

We believe the sympathy felt by many
for Gen. Lee, at the close of the rebellion,
s quite extinct. He has no claim TO it
for any kind feeling TO our prisoners, or
any lingering love for the Union he sought
to destroy. His fault was the greater
because he had higher obligations to his
country. and less inducement to betrav
her. The Hartford Ercni0g Press gives
the following story, which places him in
very unenviable light:
On Sunday when the news arrived of
the fall o. Sumter, gentleman of our ac-
quaintanee, in whom we place perfect
confidence. took the cars at Washington
to go to Richmond. Upon the train were
Alexander >. Stewart, VIM. Ballard. Pres
ton and another member of the committee
which the Virginia Legislature had sent
up to Washington to confer with the gov
einment, or more properly speaking 10 sec
what kind Of n man the Presidens was,
and to spy out the land.
At one of the stations beyond Alexan-
dria quite crowd had collrcei. and
eager demands were made for the news
as the train came in. Mr.. Stewart and
Mr.. Preston stepped upon the platform Of
the car to answer the inquiries. Our in-
formant noticed one well-lressed gentle
man, who seemed to be the spokesman
and chief person of the crowd lie was
fourlshing up and down the platform
with more or less consequence. and as the
train stopped, cried out, Whats tho
newsl"
''Sumter has fallen" was the reply
'I'll raise an army and march on Wash
ington," exclaimed the excited individual,
swinging his cane and walking uneasiIy
about. "I'll commence to-morrow morn
ing" he repeated, ''and raise an army
and take Washington. Had ! better do
| it, Mr.. Preston p
1t was some time before Mr.. Preston
answered, so long that our friend thought
he would make no reply, when he said,
slowly and oracularly:
True courage waits on dcliberation."
"Was there any blood shed p asked
the excited man.
H\o"
"Nasn't there :" looking down, and
speaking as if surprised. As the train
moved off, he was heard to repeat, " |
shall raise an army and march on WASH
ington."
When the train was under way, onr
friend asked, "Who is that enthusi ,sii
man ~
That is Colonel Lee" said Mr.. Pres
ton.
And that is the man who has since
been commander OF the rebel forces, and
who is represented as having very reluc-
family, and only after days of prayer,
drawn his sword against the government
that educated and promoted him. And
it must be remembered that this occur
renee took place before Virginia had pas
sed its bogus ordnance OF secession, and
five days before Lees resignation.
Lee did raise force of about three
thousand men and march them to Har-
| per's Ferry 20 procure arms. The Inten-
ton was TO procure arms and march into
Maryland, which it was supposed would
rise at once and go out Of the Union, car
rying with it the national capital, which
! the rebels would at once occupy, and pro-
claim themselves he government Of the
! United States, II is evident that they
did not intend to 90 off and put them
relves in the attitude Of rebels, but their
plan was to take the capital and the gov
ernment machinery, and then let the
North ''rebel'' if didn't like the ar
rangement.