St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1871-01-27

nominated to the senate as Colonel of TN
First Cavalry reg iment by Abraham
Lincoln, and Oh the same day referee
in the senate to the committee on mill
tary affairs, of which the Hon. IIcnr,
Wilson, of Massachusetts, was chairman
lie was reported back flvorably by tn
committee on the 22d, and unanimousl,
confirmed on the 23d day of March
1861! And such bot haste he exhibite,
as TO appear before Gen. Scott, and ac
cept tie office, and qualify according t,
law, on the very next day; thus inaug
uratinG himself into the confidence of the
the administration, and particularly d
General Scott, ut this most critical peri
od of our history, lie WAS of cn in the
most confidential counsels of the cxccu-
tive, giving his advice upon the military
sitnation.
1t is poor Tribute TO human nature
to conceive 1t possible that within thirty
days this same man, Robert Edward
Lee, should turn his back upon his oailIs
not only. but his generous commander,
and his impcriled country, and, flying to
Riclnond, assume the command of an
attack already inauguralel upon the city
of Washington.
Let us examine the evidence, and see
If this can possibly ne true. remember
to have reached the capital rs IL senator
cloc! from the new state of Kansas on
Saturday, the 18th day of April, 1861.
Fort Sumter had been surrendered by
Major Anderson at half-past II o'clock
on that same day. That news had
flashed over the country, and reached
Washington. | called upon the prcsi-
dent, and SAW the first great trial was
Oh him. lie was then engaged in writ
Ing his first proclamation ,llimg for -,
600 men 10 appear i'll defense Of the cap
ital. 1t was issued on Monday, the
l3'h, and on ihlt day WAS the first time
ever saw Gen. Lee. lie r,ts IN consul
tnttoq with Gen. Scott AMI the president
Viewed i'll the light of his treason ten
days after, what Il man to be advising
that unsuspccting and pure patriot
Abraham Lincoln.
The Virginia convention was then in
session, and the ordinance of secession
was under discussion. And only two
days after the issuing of that proclama-
tion-viz,, the 18th Of April-Gen. Lee
was nominated and confirmed as COM
mandcr of the Virginia forces, to resist
the United States in the execution of the
laws. On the next day (the lSth) this
same Gen. Lee has his last interview
with Gen. Scott. l suppose no one has
ever lifted the curtain upon that scene.
1t is piece of unwriiten history, sealed
up forever, As both parties are dead.
But | know that Gen. Scott w;ls greatly
affected by it.
The next day, the 10Th, a dclcg ltion
from the Richmond convention entered
Willarrs Hotel, and engaged some par
ties with carriages "to 20 with band of
to sercnadc Gen. Lee at his
home i'll Arlington" | followed that
band "atar otf'-to see the end. And
just as the sun WAS setting over the tops
of the tall trees of Arlington, and eve
nin@ shadows beginning 10 usher in the
night to obscure the scene, notes of swa ct
music, in mellow tones, were heard to
rise and fall about the old mansion at
Arlington At length there appeared at
the east front, and under II at large open
piazza, Gen. Lee. lie was addressed by
the foreman of the delegation from Rich
mond, who appealed to him by all the
historic memories OF the ''Old Domin-
ION 10 come now to the rescue. In re-
spon-e, Col Lce-as he was then called
and spoke with trcmu-
luus voice, saying he deprecated war,
4 civil war. Still he WAS
NTginan. She was the mother that
bore him, and to whom he held his high
Music with Il livclicr air now rose above
all voic q, and darkness settled down up
on The scene. Bat much darker was the
pail that fell over the till then fair nan, ,
OF Ice; for only ten days before h. AS
slmcd the obligations "l that oath which
States, and resist all her enemies, for
cign and domestic.
The next morning, :lS might have b.cn
expected, Lee wrote the following letter
to Gen. Scot. have before me- n copy
of it. 1t reads as follows:
Cory.
ARLINGTON, Va, April 20, 1861.
"GtWcrW Since my interview with
you, on the 18th instant, | have felt that
| ought not longer to retain my commis-
ln I ,l,rnf
which | request you will
recommend for acceptance. 1t would
have been presented at once, but for the
ii has cost me to separate my sell
from the service to which have devoted |
The best years of my life and all the aLil-
ity l possessed. During the whole of
that time, now more than a quarter of
l have experienced nothing but |
kindness from my suporiors and thc most
cordial friendship from my comrades.
''To no one, General, have been 80
much indebted as to yourself, for your
uniform kindness and consideration. And
it has always been my ardent desire TO
meet your appreciation.
81 shall carry TO the grave the most
grateful recollections of your kind con-
sideration, and your name and fame will
always be dear to me.
"Save in defense of my native state,
never desire to draw my sword. BE
pleased to accept my most earnest wishes
for the continuance Of your happiness
and prosperity. And believe me
Most truly yours,
II. Z. LEE"
"LIEUr.-GES. SCOTT, Com. L. $. Army
And now the result 1t was only two
days after this letter, without waiting for