The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-08-24
GETTYSBURG.
The Coming Reunion on the Battle Field-ThG
kebcl Genernls who Decline.


Rebel Generals who Decline.
Invitations were issued to the following Con-
federate officers to attend the Gettysburg re-
union:-
General Robert f. Lee, General John B. Wood,
commanding Right Division of General Long
streets corps; General James Longstreet, Gene
raj Jubal Early, General Rhodes. General r. e.
Johnston General Il. Newell, General s. d.
Pickett, General G.. II. Stuart, General Wade
Hampton, General H. Heth, General Kemper,
Major H. X. Douglass, General James A.Walker,
General William Smith, known as Extra
Billy" General John s. Moseby, General X. d.
Lilly, General j. X. Trimble and General j. ID.
lmboden.
GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE DECLINES.
The following are the only answers from these
Confederate Generals
LEXINGTON, Va, Aug. s. 1S69-Dear SIR
Absence from Lexington has prevented my re-
ceiying until to-day your letter of the 26th ult.,
inclosing an invitation from the Gettysburg
Battlefield Memorial Association, to attend a
meeting of the officers engaged in that battle at
Gettysburg, for the purpose of marking upon
the ground by enduring memorials of granite
the position and movements of the armies on
the field My engagements will not permit me
to be present. l believe, if there, could not
add anything material to the information eXiss-
ing on the subject. l think it wiser, moreover,
not to keep open the sores of war, but to follow
the examples of those nations who endeavored
to obiterate the marks of civil strife, to commit
to oblivion the feelings it engendered.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant
r. E. LEE.
FITZ-HUGH LEES OPINION.
RICHLAND, Stafford county, Va, Aug. 14;l1S69.
Hon. ID. McConaghy Secretary Gettysburg
Battlefield Memorial Associaton-Dear Sir-L
have the honor to acknowledge the receipt,
through General r. E. Lee, at Lexington of
hospitable invitation to attend the reunion" of
the principal officers of the two armies that
fought for the field of Gettysburg. 1t will not
be in my power to be present at the time indi-
Gated. viz. last week in AuUust. NV division
of cavalry reached Gettysburg on the afternoon
of the I'd July, 1868, was placed upon the left
of our army, together with General Wade
Hamptons division, the whole being under
the command of General j. E. b. Stuart,
General Lees Chief of Cavalry, at that
time; fought during the Sd with the cavalry
upon the right flank of the (''your' struck out
and following substituted Federal army. Stuart.
Hampton, and had been absent from the army
with our cavalry from the time it left Virginia
until the above time. Any information that /
may possess on the subject matter of your COM
muncation will be cheerfully rendered. / rather
think, though, and write il in all kindness, sir,
that if the nation is to continue whole, it is
better to forget and forgive rather than perpetu-
ate in granite proofs of its civil wars. Sincerely
thanking you and your Association for the con-
catory spirit which prompted courteous in
vitation, l am, very respectfully, your obedient
servant, FITz-HUGH LEE.
GENERAL LoNGsTREET's LETTER.
New ORLEANS, La, Aug. 12, 1S69.-Dear SIR
Your interesting letter, of the 3Oth ultimo, via
Saratoga, is just received. A few days previous,
| wrote to advise you that important affairs
would detain me in the city during the season.
In reply to your inquiry as to the best mode of
securing the assistance of the Southern gentle
men in marking the different points of the field,
! can only answer for myself. Other persons,
residents of this city, who were there, are now
absent, or should consult them and send Won
their views. / would be pleased to visit Gettys-
burg at any time when can leave New Orleans.
hut do not think it possible for me TO do so
this year. l would prefer to make the visit
with as many persons as can be gotten there, but
If can only do so by myself, l would prefer
such visit rather than none if would be likely
10 find some one there TO assist me in marking
the points and lines of the field. / am, sir, very
respectfully, your obedient servant
JAMES LoNGsTREET.