The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-01-30

tame under orders, accompanying Captain D. Mcciel
Ian ~ commissioner to study the proceeding OF the
French and English armies before SobastopoL He
promoted lieutenant colonel the Second cavalry In 1855
This position he retained until March TO- 1851, when ne
was promoted colonel OF the First cavalry he held the
position but little month, resigning on April 20
and Joining the rebellion Il the weakest act Of his
life 10 joined the rebels for the sake Of no great prin
cple nvov ns his honor bu. simply because he did not
wish to take part against friends and relations whom he
stated he felt to be in the wrong His letter impor
ant the proper appreciation Of the character OF tho
man, and we give 1t in this connection entirc:-
ARLINGTON, Va, April 20, 1851
Won nave been waiting for : .more convenient sea-.
son." which has brought TO many before deep and
lasting regret Now we are IN a state Of war which viii
luton into which Virginia after a long struggle has
been drawn, and though 'eco0nie necessity for kis
state Of Gags and would have foborne pleaded to
the end for redress Of grievances, real or sup
posed, 70, IN I,, my own PRISON had TO meet tho
native State. With all my devotion to tho
Union, and the feeling OF loyalty and duly
Of an American citizen have not been able mako up
my mind TO rase my hand against my relatives my chill
dren, my home have, therefore, resigned my commits
sion In tho army, and in defence Of my native STATE
with the hope that my poor services may be need
Cd, hopo may never be called 10 draw my sword
know you will blame me- but you must think
ored 10 do thought right To show you the feeling
ana struggle cost me send copy OF my letter to
uenorhl sc0t which accompanied letter
uon- have no time for moro. R. r. LEE
CAMPAIGN IN WESTERN VIRGINIA.
We have only space to give in brcfcst outline tho
career Of Lee during the most important epoch of his
life. His first service IN the Army OF Virginia began
shortly after his retirement from Arlington in April Ho
was early made brgadier general and In August, 1861
YVES assigned to the command of Garnetts Rch Noun
tain) army He soon after encountered General J. j.
Ryno!ds' brigade at Cheat Mountain and defeated
with heavy loss, and compelled to upon General
Foyds fortified position, and by joining his forces
theirs endeavor to regain his lost ground. He made
several efforts, but before anything important could
DO accomplished the rigors OF winter had declared q
truce, and Lee was recalled TO Richmond as failure
He was here put on duty in the adutans Office OF the
War Department. and does not appear prominently in
the events Of the until during the battles bsore
Richmond in the spring Of 1862 when by the wounding
of General Joe Johnston, he again placed in
mand-ths tmo of the largest Of the rebel armies. II
was fortunate hour for him. Mcclellan had been
weakened by his long campaign. The rebels had
strengthened their army by every in their power
Lee at once achieved grand reputation by stopping
McCellan's advance and by following him TO his gun
boats the James river.
MOVEMENT AGAINST WASHINGTON.
The moment that Richmond became relieved by
MoCellans evacuation Of Harsons Landing, Lee began
rapid movement by Fredericksburg against Washing
ton. His intention to strike General Pope who held
the Shenandoah valley, and destroy him before McCel-
Ian could come up and then march directly upon Wash
tngton. The march made with great rapidly, and
tho attack with much energy, but failed The junction
of the two forces made during the days. battles
at Manassas In August, 1852 brought to halt
and compelled TO abandon his plans Hc subsequently
reported the achievements as signal success the par
pose tho campaign being, he claimed, fully
hvf ho aliaf oF
This report Of great strategca highly graft
flying to the Southern people, but Jer Davis was dis
satisfied with tho result and ordered further
against Washington
CAMPAIGN OF ANTYErAM.
General Lee determined on an invasion Of Mary
land as tho best plan Of accomplishing tho desired
purpose, and as early the LIST Of September
ordered an advance The rebo army began TO
cross tho Potomac on September 4 and soon after
pushed rapidly into Maryland Lee occupied Frederick,
Nd, the 9Th Of the month. On the 18th por-
ton Of his army had sharp action at Middleown, Nd
and on the day following the advance Of McCellan's
army under Gen. Reid encountered At Booncsboro
The two armies fought and mnncuvered for position until
September II, when the campaign eliminated in the
battle Of Antictam and the defeat Of the rebels,
with loss OF fourteen thousand In killed and
wounded Leo was forced TO retreat and on
the 10th succeeded In recrossing into Virginia.
He not pursued, and quietly moved down tho val
ley and again occupied his old line Of the Rappahan-
mock 1t is stated Of Leo that from the
Of the he has In spite Of the opposition OF
Beauregard and Others that the line Of the Rappahan
mock was the proper defensive limo OF Richmond, and
convinced TO the contrary until General Grant
forced him from IT. in spite Of its great natural strength
and tho vast works which he had thrown up along It.
His in repulsng tho attacks Of General Barn.
side In December 1862, and General Hooker, In May,
1888 served only for timc 70 confirm him In this idea
He appears have been fully cured of the flacy Of his
views by the manner in which General Grant handled
him
CAMPAIGN OF GETTYSBURG.
Lees FIRST offensive campaign in Western viryina was,
have seen, failure His first defensive efforts
great success His second offensive movement-the one
against Pope-also failed. His third offensive movement
eliminated in the disastrous defeat Of Anotam. His
second and third defensive and
successful Fired by these sue
cesses he determined TO make another offensive cam
paign, and began In June, 1853, tho invasion Of
Pennsylvania, inaugurating tho movement with
siderable ut Winchester In the capture OF the
forces garrsoning it. He Immediately pushed northward
and entered Pennsylvania encouncring the advance OF
General Meados army ut Gettysburg July l. This days
battle served only TO bring the two armies face to face,
and at sunrise the End Of July Lee began with
doubt and hesitation his thiroGensive battle II ended
all readers know. In his defeat and retreat and
confirmed tho opinion which had begun 10 be formed
among military regarding his inability TO conduct
offensive operations His retreat effected with some
skill He rapidly moved down the Shenandoah valley,
and again took up position In his favorte camps along
tho ainc OF tho Rappahannock." Here no remained
quiet during The winter, preparing for the spring
pagn.
CAMPAIGN WITH GRANT.
General Grant assumed the control and direction OF AZ
fairs in Virginia iu the spring Of 1854 He did give
che rebel general either tme opportunity TO try the
experiment Of an offensive campaign He carly In the
spring assumed tho offensive with Moades army and
began tho 9Th Of May that remarkable series OF battles
which resulted in driving Lee from his boasted imprcgna
blo line and forcing him In retreat towards Richmond
The defence Of Lee energetic and mastery, and
was characterized by Q stubbomness almost equal