Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-10-29
General Lees Desire for a True HIS.
tory of the War-What he Thought
of Mr.. Davis. ii '4

mr. N r.. Dayts. gi3 lilfns i.i N 90
From the New York World.l .Oap9t
Resolute to abstain in, these illustra-
tions from any reference to the living
some that are very precious have been
laid aside with the chance that he who
pens these notes may be among the de-
parted before the writer's whose words he
cherished should be called away. But
as this little essay has been in progress,
a knell from a distance tells me that in
one case the reason for reserve has
ceased. The great soldier Of America
for such, history, when our miserable
chickering's are forgotten, will pronounce
him; the Christian gentleman; the
knightly leader Of lchiyalry not less glo-
rious because unfortunate ; the man
whomin his grave all mourn and honor
except custom-house officials and treas
ury lackeys and their master-Robert
Il. Lee, Of Virginia, is dead, and, as
these lines are written, is going to his
grave by the side of jackson, at Lexing,
ton.9 His autographs lie before me-
their penmanship graceful and delicate,
almost like woman's, and his words
those Of modesty and simple truth.
As early as the 10th OF November,
| 1865, he writes to friend: lta . j.
I concur with you entirely as to the
Importance Of a true history Of the war;
and it is my purpose, unless prevented
to write that of the campaigns IN Vir
ginia. With this view i have been engaged
since the cessation of hostilities in en-.
deavoring to procure the necessary otiicla
information. All my records, reports
returns, etc., with the headquarters o
the army, were needlessly destroyed by
clerks having them in, charge on thu
retreat from Petersburg, and such as hao
been forwarded to the War Department
in Richmond we're either destroyed in Its
conhagration or captured at the Soutl
in the attempt to save them. ldesire te
obtain some vouchers in support OF my
recollection, or ] should have made some
progress in the narrative. l have not
even my letter or order-hooks to which
to refer. have thought it possible that
some of my official correspondence
which would be of value to me- might be
found among the captured records in
Washington, and that General Grant
who possesses magnanimity as well q!
ability might cause me to be Furnished
with comics. | have. however, hesitatee
to approach him on the subject, as 1t II
one in which he would naturally feel nj
interest. t... &; stll
i On the 2Sth Of December, 1866, h'
writes and this is given in justice to thu
Living: . .brx .lb
will present to him my warmest regards
and, if you can find fit words to express
it, my deep interest in his welfare. Yoi
say rightly that nothing can be done b.
his friends for his relief, and that add
to the bitterness Of my distress, for
feel that any attempt only serves t
arouse afresh the slumberipg ire OF hi
opponents. We must, therefore, be hope
ful, but patient.
As late as the llth of June, 1869, HI
says .Ig.
feel more strongly than ! can de
scribe the importance Of true histor.
= of the events of the war between th'
:. Northern and Southern States, AID ha'
resolved to prepare a narrative OF tn.
military occurrences in Virginia.
have not changed my purpose, but a
first thought the time was unpropitious
The passions Of neither sections ha'
sufficiently cooled to hear the truth, tn
only thing cared to relate, ! do no
think that time has arrived yet, but It !
approaching, l have been collectinl
facts, but am at loss in consequence
my records, papers, etc, having beel
!. destroyed, and have been so situated a
, to be incapable of supplying them. Stil
/ am doing something, and hope to sue
csed. g.1
These were almost his last words; an
they sneak as legacy to the South I
complete an unfulflled duty, which
reconciled people will have right I
demand. As for him, though it may b
that
"His triumphs will be sung
By some unmoulded tongue,