The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1876-01-26
A WAR SECRET.
0eueraI Robert =. Lees Proposed
Resig 0astWW His Letter SO Jrn
Davis After Geeey sbssPg.

| NesignaeiWW His Letter SO Sen
| Davis After GetsysbssPg.
| tCharles c. Jones In scribners for February.
| Although the campaign into Pennsyl.
vauia WAS not untruittul OF results benc.
fetal to the Southern States; although by
the recent shock OF arms and this ag-
gressye movement the Federal advance
upon Richmond had been materially de-
layed: although the state Of Virginia
Tor the time being. had been delivered
from the waste aud and burden Of hos.
tile INVASION: although General Lee had
| from perilous environments, Withdrawn
his army strong In organization, proud
| in spirit. and with confidence mistaken,
and was in full possession Of his legiti-
mate line OF defence. he could not but
acknowledge that all had not been &C.
complished which the late advance was
designed to compass. "This has been a
sad day Tor u, Colonel, sad day; but
we can't expect always to gain victories,
| was his remark to Colonel Frecmantle.
as sublime in his Indifference 10 personal
| danger. calm in the midst of the hurry
| aud confusion Of the scene, the Confctlcr-
ate leader encouraged his men when.
torn and worn by the battle. they fell
back before the Triumphant roar OF the
Federal artillery which swept the whole
valley and slope of seminary Ridge
with shot and she'll. As a soldier, and IL
the chief captain of the Confederate hosts.
he admitted that he had been foiled Of
his aim; and although. in his own Ian
guage. il a spirit OF disappointment and
discomfort existed in his army. hi.
brother officers had been too Kind 10 re-
port it. and his troops too generous to
exhibit it. The tone of the public press
and the sentiment Of the country indi-
Gated dissatisfaction with the result OF a
campaign from which grander achieve
ments had been blindly expected than
the troops and resources employed IN It's
conduct Ought, in reason. to have justi-
fled. II was not In human nature, In its
most heroic development and conscious
of its nOblest effort. to remain under the
entirely Indifferent Ia or
Unaffected by such expression. A. at
the time of Pickett's repulse he said 10
General Wilcox. who in sorrow reported
the almost total destruction of his brig
AIDE: Never mind. general. all this has
been my fault: il il who have lost the
fight. and you must help me out OF it
the best way you can'-sO now. at
Camp Orange, with a dignity. man.
hood. and generosity the most remark
able. denying no responsibility. suggest
ing no excuses. iudulging In no ce0urc,
he shielded others by taking upon him
self alone the soul depressing burden of
the general misfortune.
II was under such circumstances that
the following noble letter was penned:
CAN'T ORANGE, AUGUsT. 1868.
"MR. PRESIDENT: Your letters OF q
July aud Aug. have been reed, and ]
have waited for leisure hour 10 reply,
but fear that will never come. am eX-
tremcly obliged TO you for The attention
given to the wants OF this army, and the
efforts made 10 supply them. our absen-
tees are returning, and hope the ern-
est and beautiful appeal made TO the
in your proclamation may stir
up the whole people, and that they may
see their duty and perform 1t. Nothing
is wanted but that their iortitude should
equal their bravery. to insure the success.
of our cause.SWe must expect reverses,
even defeats. They are sent to teach us
wisdom and prudence, 10 call forth
greater energies, and to prevent our fall
ing into greater disasters. Our people
have only to be true and united. TO bear
maniully he msiOrtuncs incidental to
war, and all will come right in the end.
- know how prone we are TO censure.
and how ready to blame others for the
non-iulillmcnt OF our expectations. This
is unbecoming IN a generous people,
and .gricvc To see IL expression The
general remedy Tor the want Of
success in military commander Is his
removal. This j. natural, and ia many
instances proper. For. no matter what
may be the activity II the officer il he
loses the confidence of his troops, disas.
~ uust gnnuar latnr an..tn
81 have been prompted by. these re-
Elections more than once since my
return from Pennsylvania, to propose to
TOUR Excellency the propricty Of select
ing another commander for this army.
have seen and heard expressions of
discomfort in the public journals at the
result OF the expedition. | do not know
how far this feeling extends IN the army.
My brother officers have been too kind
10 report IL, and so far the troops have
been 10 generous TO exhibit it. 1t is flir.
however, to suppose that il does exist.
and success i - necessary TO Us that
nothing should be Iisked TO secure IL.
|, therefore, in all sincerity, request Your
EXccllency to take measures to supply
my place. do this with the more earn
cstnrss because no one Is more aware
than myself OF my inability for the duties
Of my position. cannot even accom-
plisli what myself desire. How can |
fulfill the expectations OF others: In ad-
dition ! sensibly feel the growing failure
OF my bodily strength. | have not yet
recovered from the attack ! experienced
the past spring. am becoming more
aud more incapable OF cXcrtion, and am
thus prevented from making the personal
examinations aud giving the personal
Summary isinn n ths. on Ia u. a
which ! feel to be necessary. am SO
dull that IN making Use OF the eyes of
Others am frequently mlsled. Every
thing, therefore, points TO the advantages
70 be derived from new commander,
and the more anxiously urge the mat
ter upon your Excellency from my
belief that younger aud ADLER man than
myself can readily be obtained. know
that he will have AS gallant aud brave an
army IA eyer existed TO second his efforts.
aud !, would be the happie-t day Of my
life 10 see at it, head worthy leader.
| ons that would accomplish more than
could perform, and all that have wished.
! hope your Exccllcncy will attribute
my request TO the true reason. the desire
10 serve my country, and TO do all in my
power to insure the success Of her right.
eous cause.
Il have no complaints to make Of any
one but myself ] have received moth.
lug but kindness from those above me,
and the most considerable attention from
my comrades and companions In arms.
70 your Excellency ] am specially in-
debted for uniform Kindness and con i'd
Grafton. Nou have done everything In
your power TO aid me IN the work COM
mitted TO my charge, without emitting
any 'hlng to promote the general wei.