New-York tribune., 1876-01-20
GEN. LEE AFTER GETYSBURG.
A LETTER TO JEFFERSON DAVIS ogrrElyc TO RE

A LETTER TO JEFFERSON DAVIS 0grFGiNG TO RE
SIGN.
From "a Pisce Of Secret LtOry" IN scribn,rs Honn'y
CAMP ORANGE 4 Aug. 1858.
Mr.. PRESIDENT: Your letters Of % July ana =
Anp have been reed, and have waited Tor p leiSIo
hour to reply, but fear that VIII noVe. coht am
extremely Obliged to you for the attention gwen 70
the wants Of TINS army and the cEois hlade - &
nIv them Our abs,ntees are returning. and nope
the earnest aad beautiful appeal made 10 te country
jn your rroclamati0n NAV etlr M the wh0ie iS9pc,
and that thoy may see Their duty ana perErn ~ I'LL
ing l. wanted but that thcT f0rutudo shouid eGld
their bravery 10 insure the success OF VCE cd'se'
We must expect rcveTses even dete&ts' iIney t NJ
sent TO teach us wisdom and prudence, Ca lVi ~
creotcr eucr,des and u prevent our falling INTO
greater disasters. Our pcOIdo have ohiy 20 pe l'e
aud united 70 bear mainUliy the EllSi9iCdhtS l"'A
dent TO war, ard all viii come right III Illc epo -
i know how prone We are TO cellsnie' anu anu i,ow ,,
ready 10 blame others for the nonlItimeat ci our
exp, citations. THIS Is unbccomlhS IN kOh"'"o'
people and cr'eye TO sec lts eXluessiol' ING H'n
Ut ranedy fr Tie want of success in military
commander is his removal This Is natural aHd III
many inst ances proper. Fer, no matter what may
be he ability Of thc officer, II he loses te Cohnlco
of hie trOop5 SaSteT mus sooner or later ens0e'
| have been prompted by theee reflections more
than once since my return IRON iehna' Io p.o-
pose 10 yOur Exc'y the proprlety OF selectliS an
other commander Tor this army. have seen ana
heard OF expressions of discomfort IN the pnulf
iournals AZ The result Of the expedition. l 90 not
know how far this foelIng extends III the army
bly brother officers have been too EIhd 70 report >
spd SO far the troops have been too generous 20 ex
biblt IT, III IL lllF however " s"PPN''N a..
eyist, and success is so necessary 10 u; 'N"T
nofhing should be risked 10 secure H.;
Therefore in all sincerity, request your fNcy
to take measures TO supply my pidco'
do th,s with the more eaincstness because no Vio
Il m0ro aware than mysolt of my inability lor the
duties of my sitiOn. l cannot even acconlpii.sh
what mvsef desire. How can falhii The eXpecta-
ti0rs of ctherss In addition, sels'bIy ieei the
yroy,,nC fallurc Of nv bodily strength. nave lot
vel recovered from the attack experienced the pasI
SpTing / avn becoming more and more lh'apaole OF
exerIion and an thus prevented from making tie
perybi)n TO tie CpeTatl0nc N the neia llcn loU
10 be necessary. am 80 dull that III n.tkIls use o.
tbe ewes Of others am frequently mlHicd, bFef3-
thing Therefore points to the advantages 10
be derived rom new commander, ana /
the more aHX!ousiv urge tho Ma'tI "t"i ti
yopr Exc'y from my belief that q younger ana
QLlcr man than myself can readily be oD' 'alHeu.
know thai h VIII have as gallant sA!I brave an ttS
az ever existed TO second hrs efforts, ard t NGbd Dc
the hapllie,t day Of Iny life 10 see al lts hcad
worthy leader; one that wOaid accomplish more
fhan co1ld uerfoI7n and all that have wished. J
hOpe your Exo'y will attribute my request to Cii'
true reason the desire TO serve my country &h I"
do all in my power to insure the success Oh het As'
cons cause. ~ ,,.
nave no complaints to make Of any one but my
self have received nothing tut Kindness from
tb0se ABOVE me- and the most COnslGrTto atiehtiUh
y0ur Excelicucy | am specially mdHbtc loF UNI
{ ,n Kindness and cOusidcrat ION. ION nave cor"
evervthu- lu your power To ald ine ~ the W"lK COM
IgIt .ed 10 Jay charge, without emitting anything 10
promote the general welfare. | pray tbaI SoHi
,noriS NAV ar leugn a be crowned with success, ana
that yCu may long I'VE 10 ENJOY tlc lHal'N7 u d"
grateful people. -.o+
With sentiments of great esteem AN very respect
fuiiy end lrulv vouTS X. =. LEE. General
Ills Excy Jels'n Davis. Pres. CoHt'd States.