New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-25

We republished from Scri6ner on Satur-
day letter from General Lee to JEFF Davis,
written on the eighth of August, 1863. in
which the Confederate chieftain assumed
all the responsibility for the disasters to
his army at Gettysburg, and asked to be
relieved from the command. There can be
no doubt this letter is genuine, and that
General Lee was entirely sincere in making
the suggestions it contains With this letter
and the Generals reasons for writing it.
We have nothing 1urther to do at present
than call attention to the strong corrobor'
atory relation it bears to one written by Gen
eral Longstreet, fteen days before it was
penned. While Longstreet was encamped
at Culpepper courthouse, he received letter
from his uncle DR.. A. B. Lcngstreet IL D
of Columbus. Georgia, in which the doc.er
urged his nephew to publish some OF the
facts connected with the battle of Gettys-
burg, that his correct position and connec-
ton with that affair might be known. The
General wrote to his uncle, an answer, from
which the subjoined extract is now pub
lished for the first time.
General Longstreet was opposed to the
policy of attacking the Union army at the
cemetery, and 80 expressed himself to Gen
eral Lee, but was overruled by his COM
| manding officer, and did the best he could
| to turn the mistake into success. His corps
was first in readiness and first to make the
attack. Other Confederate commanders
were SO tardy in coming into action that
the day was lost. Lee saw and acknOwledg-
ed his error, thus doing full justice to the
survivors, though he could not restore to
| life the thousands of brave men slain in
attempting to carry out his rash policy.
Appended to General Longetreet's letter
ia an extract from one written him some
time ago by Captain T, J. Goree, his aid-de-
camp at Gettysburg:
| CAMP, CuLpEPPsR CouRraorsE,
| July "a, 1868.
MY DEAR UNcLE-Your letters of the
thirteenth and fourteenth were received
As to our late battle can not say much.
| have no right to cay anything in TACT, but
will venture little for you alone. II it
! goes to aunt and cousins it must be under
promise that it goes no further.
The battle was not made as l would nave
| had it. NV idea was to throw ourselves
| between the enemy and Washington, select
q strong position, and force the enemy to
| attack us. ,
So far as it is given to man the ability to
| iudpe. we NAV say with confidence that we
should have destroyed the federal army,
marched into Washington and dictated our
terms, or at least held Washington
and marched over as much OF Pennsyivanla
| as we cared to had We drawn the enemy
into attack upon our carefully chosen po-
sition in his rear.
General Lee chose the plans adopted, and
he ia the person appointed to choose and to
order. consider it part of my duty to
express my views to the commanding Cen
eral. If he approves and adopts them, it
is we'll; if he does not, it is my duty to
adopt his views and to execute his orders
as faithfully and as zealously as if they
had been my own. / can not help but
think that great results would have OBJ
tanned had my views been thought better
of vet am much inclined to accept the
present condition as for the best. hope
and trust that it is 90. >,
Your programme would all be well
enough, were it practicable, and was duly
Thought of too. l fancy that no good ideas
upon that campaign will be mentioned at
anv time. that did not receive their share OF
attantion and consideration by General
Lee, The few things that he might have
overlooked himself, believe were suggest
ed by myself.
Al we failed of success must take my
part of the responsibility. In fact, would
prefer that all of the blame should rest on
me. As General Lee is our commander, he
should have all the support and influence
that We can give him. If the blame-if
there is any-can be shifted from him to me,
/ shall help him and our cause by taking it.
l desire, therefore, that all Of the respon-
sibility that can be put upon me shall 60
there and remain there. The truth will
be known in time, and / leave that to
show how much of the responsibility OF
the attack at Gettysburg rests upon my
self.
Most affectionately, yours,
DR.. A. B. Lonsstreet, IL. D., Columbus, Georgia.
General Lee in . letter written to General
| Lonestleet in January 1864, says: Had takeI
your advice (st Gettysbure), instead OF pursuing
| The course I did, how different all might have
| been" Captain T. J. 0oree. OF Houston, Texas
| in letter to General Longetreet, Gays: Another
member was in the winter Of 1864. when 70.
| sent me from East Tennessee to Orange Court
| house with some dispatchee to General Lee. UPON
| my arrival there General Lee aeked me into M
| tent where he was alone, with two OF thre'
Northern papers on his table: ae 5emsrxeG !ns -
ports Of the hattie Of Gettysburg; that he bad DC
come satisfied from reading tho6e reports that
!. he had permitted you to carry ont your plene o.
the third day instead Of making the atteck ;, o.