Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-10-21
From the New York Tribune.

From the New York Tribune.
On the ooh of April, 1861, Colonel Lee,
,ftnr n service of twenty-five years, re-
a,nncd his position in the United States
7rny. sending his letter of resignation to
General Scott, at Washington. It was IN
lie following terms:
ARLINGTON, VA, April 20, 1861.
GENERAL: Since my interview with you on the
,,h instant, I have felt that l ought not longer
T., retain my commission in the army. 1 there
5e lender my resignation, which | request you
Mi rccoranlcild for acceptance. 1t would have
Jfeu presented at once but for the struggle it
- caused rlo TO separate myself from service
- when I have devoted all the best years OF my
II, and ell the ability possessed.
During Tic whole Of that tIne-more than
l-sartcr Of o century, have experienced moth
no Int kindness from guperiors, ard the most
,g-d.a, iTiendehIp from nay comrades. 10 no one,
I.rc~aL have ] been az much indebted to
.ar~soT for uniform kindness and consideration,
nd it has always been my ardent desire to meet
-.-r l.rrObation. I shall carry to the grave tho
most grateful recon ctions OF your kind consd
l-.loa, ana your utplo and fame will always be
z.src il defence Of my native State, I never
size again to ara" nay sword Be pleased to
r..gl}t my most earnest wishes Tor the cOntjnu-
.-acc OF your happiness apd prosperity, and be-
1--we mo LIcst truly yours, Is, Z. LEE.
LITTER TO HIS SISTER.
10 his sister, the wife Of an officer loyal
80 he flag, he wrote:
NY DEAE SISTER Il am grievcd at
nay Inability TO see you. : : < l
have been waiting for q more convenient
s .@o, which has brought to many before
.... tic deep AID lasting regret. We are
..es- z! q tate uf war which Will yield to
1thiuc Che Whole Soath is in a state Of
..gu.uuyn, into which Virginia, after a
..ut struggle. las been drawn and though
tr.r-gui23 30 necessity for this state of
...a, ana would have forborno and
.......i is tie end for redress of griCvan-
... +, real ,r supposed, Yet IN my own per
.., }.al t3 meet the question whether J.
al ta'1 part against my native State
st1 I'll L3y devotion - the Union, and
a.. r.. Ing 81 loyalty and duty Of an
A.oriaau citizen, / have not been able to
.a:.o ny ny nind to raise my hand against
..s relatives, my children, my home. l
..vc, :LeI, fore, resigned my commission
So the eG5lE and save IL defence OF my ma
.ag1 Et.+a-Uith the sincere hope that my
r5or ry.ca. may never be needed / hope
may no~cv b. called upon to draw my
..hia vas $40 only ''dcfnition Of his posi-
...l" cv.g given by him. His resignation
5t.a Instantly accepted, and he at once
lraE m is residence in Richmond, as
:aaanIer-of The forces Of Virginia.
E.om the 2nIadolphia Press.
a. ezt-aot from letter written by his
rllc reveals the conflict IL his mind before
deciding upon his course: "My husband
has w43g Gears # blood over this terrible
s.ar: bat he mus, as man Of honor and
Ei.giaian, share the destiny OF his State,
~. Ten has aoiemDly pronounced for indie
o-l1c4cc.' Loo had once il n letter to
lis son II West Point, cOunselllng him his
..uty nt all times, given utterance to the
ointment, ',Duiy IS the sublimest word in
..r language"
from Gle Norfolk Vlrginan.
IT'S ErCEpTIoE II VIRGINIA.
Ilayiug tlrovn up his commission he
caireI 70 Richmond, where he offered
.s sword TO his native State, the reply to
=. ch Was lis appointment as Major
l-..5raliu command of the Virginia troops.
.u 81 a4ber the grand reception
.-a>leJ Him ~ the convention, and few
lore solemn OK august spectacles have
adorned our annals than was presented on
.L.t memorable occasion.
The venerable Mr.. JanLey received him
ma speech marked by a certain antique
.gnp, which Ioso to genuine eloqucnce at
lie end OF his address, and lent additional!
...aza.4ity ID Tho impressive scene.
General Lca1cpiied with characteristic
maloztv ana sail: ''1Ir. President and
Gentlemen q die aventiOn-PrOfOundly
,r-u-;a--L ,,.tL the eolCLlnity of the Oc-
...aiou. fig which ! must say [ was Lot pre-
-ar.d, / accept tho position assigned me
L
.-aly1r.l I13 your choice fallen upon an
.tl.y I-al. JIusting in Almighty God. an
ar. luyiIr conscience ana the aid of my
.-!,Jy c.tI-la, | devote myself to the
.ryioc Of my native State, III whose behalf
alone VIII / ever again draw my sword"
In til 1jIlaiTCspOnse 10 the elaborate adj
,.ass q IiYlrcd by the president of the
convention, We see that the animating
.rluctpls which controlled General Lee
has jHat Of duty, and that he looked to his
s.ol ana LIS conscience fOc the approval
E his ncL-4n GUS decision.
HIS LAST CENTRAL ORDER.
When the terms Of surrender had been
srfcgd OH. General Lee published the fol-
owing order to MS heroic troops:
I!EA1gHs Amy or NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
april 10Th, 1865.
tfter four years of ariuous service,
marked bv unsurpassed courage and forti-
tllc, the Army OF Northern Virginia has
1uen compellCd to yield to overwhelming
-...r.hers and resources. l need not tell
the survivors Of so many hard-fOught bat
..-z, who have remained steadfast to the
ass. that [ have consented to this result
.-rn no d;struat Of them, but feeling that
.s.ur ana devotion could accomplish moth
-.~ that could compensate for the loss that
..3ull have attended the continuation of
The contest, / have determined to avoid
no useless sacrifice Of those whose past
---yiccs have cndcared them to their coun-
trvmcn. By the terms OF the agreement,
officers ana men can return to their homes,
and remain there until exchanged.
Yol Viii take with you the satisfaction
st gyoteeHs from tie Consciousness Of duty
au.fa5V goJorn1e7, and l earnestly pray
.hs. 2 rar>ifuI GOD will extend to you His
blessing and protection. With an unceas-
5rE admiration Of your cCnstancy and de-
.-tl0n 20 yOUr country and O grateful re-
r.2mbranco Of your kind and generous
consideration Of myself, [ bid you an affec-
tomato farewell.
(S;n0al) L. E. LEE,
General.
5.OM IL. GrcoIcys american Conflict"
-EE-s TAI.EWELL TO HIS SOLDIERS.