The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-02-04
Lmchburg, Ta., February l, 1876.
General Lees Letter Offering 20 Re-
siSn-Mr. DayiS's Reply.
From the Mobile tAla.) Sycle, January 29.1
sssECRET HISTORY"

From the Mobile (Ala.) Sycle, January 29.l
'EsEcRET HISTORY"
Scribner's Monthly for February has an
article entitled "a Piece of Secret History"
By Colonel Charles c. Jones, Jr., of the late
| Confederate army, containing the following
letter from General Robert Z. Lee, written
about month after the disasters of Gettys-
burg, and Offering to resign his command:
"CAMP ORANGE, August S, 1868.
"Mr. President,-Your letters of 18th
July and ID Augu have been received, and
| | have waited for Il leisure hour to reply, but
| I fear that will never come. am extremely
| Obliged TO you for the attention given to
| the wants of this army, and the efforts made
| to supply them. Our absentees are return.
| ing, and | hope the earnest and beautiful
appeal made to the country in your procia-
nation may stir up the whole people, and
that they may see their duty and perform it.
| Nothing is wanted but that their fortitude
should equal their bravery to insure the sue
cess of our cause. We must expect reverses,
even defeats. They Are sent to teach Us
wisdom and prudence, to call forth greater
energies, and to prevent our falling into
| greater disasters. Our people have only to
| be true and united, to bear manfuly the
misfortuues incident to war, and all will
come right in the end.
Il know how prone we are to censure and
| how ready to blame others for the nonful-
| filmeut OF our expectations. This is unbe-
coming in generous people, and L grleve
to see its expression. The general remedy
| for the want of success in military CON-
mander is his removal. This is natural, and
in many instances proper. For no matter
what may be the ability OF the officer, if be
loses the confidence of his troops disaster
must sooner or later ensue.
Il have been prompted by these reflections
| more than once since my return from Penn.
sylvania to propose TO your Excellency the
propricty of selecting another commander
for this army. / have seen and heard Of eX.
pressions of discomfort in the public jour-
nails at the result of the expedition. l do not
know how far this feeling extends in the
army. My brother officers have been too
kind to report it, and so far the troops have
beer too generous to exhibit 1t. 1t IS fair,
however, to suppose that it does exist, and
| success is so necessary to us that nothing
should be Iisked to secure it. l therefore in
all sincerity request your EXcellency to
take measures TO supply my place. Go
this with the more earncstneSs because
no one is more aware than myself of
NV inability for the duties Of my posi-.
III. L
self desire. How can / fulfil the expectations
of Others? In addition, sensibly feel the
growing failure Of my bodily strength. l
have not yet recovered from the attack eX-
perienced the past spring. am becoming
more and more incapable of eXertion, and
am thus prevented from making the personal
examinations and giving the personal super.
vision to the operations 10 the field which
feel to be necessary. | am so dull that in
making use of the eyes of others | am
frequently mised. Everything, therefore,
points to the advantages to be de-
rived from new commander, and
the more anXiously urge the matter upon
your EXcellency from my belief that
Younger aud ADLER man than myself can
readily be obtained. [ know that be Will
have as gallant and brave an army as ever e.
listed to second his efforts, and il would be
toe happiest day OF my life to see at its head
q worthy leader-one that would accomplish
more than l could perform, and all that
have wished. / hope your Excel!ency will
attribute my request to the true rehson-the
desire io serve my country and to DO all 10
my power TO insure the success OF her
| righteous cause.
| az have no complaints to make Of any one
but myself. / have received nothing but
| kindness from those above me, ana Inc most
| considerate attention from my comrades and
companions in arms. To your EXceilency l
| am specially indebted for uniform kindness
| aud consideration. You have done every
thing in your power TO aid me in the work
committed to my charge without emitting
anything to promote the general welfare.
pray that your efforts may at length be
crowned with success, and that you may
iorg live to enjoy the thanks of grateful
p: ople. :
"With sentiments of great esteem, am
very respectfully and truly yours,
@ "R. Z. LEE, General.
His Excellency Jefferson Darts, President
Confederate States" !
It so happens that we have in possession.
thereby OF President Davis to the above
letter. Although its publication at this time
was not contemplated, yet, since General
Lees letter has been made public, there. Is