Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-04-24
ALEyA. GAZETTE & VIRGINIA ADVERTIS
Autographs OF General Lee.

In the New York World appeared some
time ago d series of admirable essays, and
among them one on autographs. The author
is VIM. B. Reod, resident of Philade.
phia and former u S. Minister to China
After giving some of Wellington, Chatham,
and others, he closes his paper on his theme as
follows:
The great soldier of America, for such his
tory, when our miserable chickering's are forgot
ten, will pronounce him the Christian gentle
man !; the knightly leader Of chivalry, not less
glorious because unfortunate ; the man whom in
his grave all, truly brave and good, mourn and
hopor,-,Robert L. Lee, of Virginia. is dead !
and as these lines are written, is going to his
grave, by the side of jackson, at Lexington.
His autographs lie before me the penman-
ship graceful and delicate, like woman's and
his words those of modesty and simple truth.
AS carly as the 10th of November, 1865, he
writes to friend:
II concur with you entirely as to the i'm
portauce of true history OF the war and it is
my purpose, unless prevented, to write that of
the campaigns In Virginia. With this view |
have been engaged siuce the cessation OF hos
tilities in endeavuring to procure the necessary
official information. All my records, reports,
returns, etc., with the headquarters of the
army, were needlessly destroyed by the clerks
having them III charge on the retreat trom
Petersburg, and such as had been for
warded to the War Department in Rich
moDd were either destroyed in its con-
fagration or captured at the South in the at
tempt to save them. desire to obtain some
vouchers 10 support of my recollection, or |
should have made some progress in the narra-
tive. | have not even my letter or order books
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 Gen. Grant, who possesses magnani-
nifty as well as ability, might cause me to be
furnished with copies. have, however, hesita-
ted to approach him on the subject, as it is one
in which he would naturally feel no interest. "
On the 2Sth Of December, 1866, he writes:
IF you see Mr.. Davis, beg that you will
present to him my warmest regards; and, if
you can find fit words to express it, my deep
interest 10 his welfare You say rightly, that
nothing can be done by his friends for his re-
lief, and that adds to the bitterness of my dis
treSS; for feel that any attempt only serves to
arouse aresh the slumbering ire of the oppo-
ncnts. We must, therefore, be hopeful, but
patient.
As late as the llth of June, lS69,he says:
Il feel more strongly than can describe the
Importance Of a true history OF the events OF
the war between the Northern aud the South
ern States and had resolved to prepare mar
ratiVe Of the military occurrences in Virginia.
| have not changed my purpose, but at first
thought the time was unpropitious. The pas
sions of neither section had sufficiently cooled
to hear the truth, the only thug I cared to re-
late. | do not thiuk that time has arrived yet,
but it is approaching | have been collecting
facts, but am at loss in consequence OF my re.
cords, papers, etc., having been destroyed, and
have been so situated as to be incapable of sup
plying them. Still | am doing something aud
hone to succeed"