The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-01-23
A Chapter in the Secret War
History.

History.
Aithough the campaign into PENNSYLVANIA was
not unfruitful Of results beneficial to the Sontn
ern states; although by the recent shock of arms
vance upon hlchmond had been materially d.
iayed although the State Of Virginia, for the
time being, had been delivered from the was tf
ana burden OF hostile invasion; although Cen
Lee H@a, from perllous environment, Withdrawn
hia army strong IN organization, proud in spirit.
ana with confidence uushaken, and was ia full
possession OF his legitimate line Of defense he
could but acknowledge that all had not been ac-
complshed which the late advance was des gned
to compass.
This has been sad day for US, colonel, a sad
daE, bGt we can't expect always to gam victo-
res, Was his remark to Col. Freemantle, as sub
ILne u his indifference to personal danger, and
calm in the midst Of the hurry and contn -ion ~
the scene, the Confederate leader encoura ged his
men When, torn and worn by the battle, they tell
back before the triumphant roar of the Federal
artillery, which swept the whole valley and slope
OF Seminary Ridge with shot and shell. As
soldier, and as the chief captain of the Confed-
crate hosts, he admitted that he had been foled
III his aim; and although, in his own language
II spirit OF DISAPPOINTMENT and discomfort ex-
listed IN his army, his brother officers had been
too kind to report it. The tone Of the public
press and the sentiment of the country ind,.
Gated dissatisfaction with the result OF a cam
paign from which grander achievements b ad been
bnndiy expected than the troops and resources
reason.
Justified. 1t was not in human nature, IN its
most heroic development and conscious OF its
MODEST eHort. 10 remain, under she circumstances
entirely indifferent TO or unaffected by such ex-
pIesal u: AS at the time Of Picketts repulse he
said to General Wilcox VINO IN sorrow reported
the almost total destruction Of his brigade
Never mind, General, all this has been nv
fault; ii is who have lost this fight. and Won
must help me out of it the best way YOU can" so
no :, at camp Orange, with dignity manhood,
n9rOStfV To- rer RI 10
nc responsibility, suggesting no excuse, INDUCING
IN no censures, he shielded others by taking
upon himself alone the soul-depresring burden
o the general misfortune.
1t was under such circumstances that the fol
lowllS noble letter was penned
"CAMP ORANGE, Aug. 8, 1853.
M. PreSideat-Yuur letters of july % and
August have been received, and / have waited
Ior a leisure hour to reply; but fear that will
never come. am extremely obliged to you for
the attention given to the wants Of this army
aid the efforts made to supply them. Our alb
seLtees are returning, and l hope the earnest
and beautiful appeal made to the country in your
proclamation may stir up the whole people, and
that they may see their duty and perform it,
Nothing is wanted but that their foritude should
equal their bravery, to insure the success 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 manfolly The
right in the end.
81 know how prone are to censure and
how ready to blame others for the non-fultili-
ment OF our expectations This il unbecomlng
is generous people, and grieve to see its ex-
preston. The generally remedy for the want of
success IN military commander is his removal.
This Is natural, and in many instances proper.
For, no matter Whist may be the ability Of the
officer, II he loses the confidence of his troops,
disaster must sooner or later come.
- have been promoted by thesn retfact lions
more than once Since my return from Pennsyl-
vania to propose to your excelency the PROPHECY
OF selecting another commander for this army.
/ have seen aud heard of expressions OF discou-
tent the public journals at the result of the ex-
pedition. | do not know how far this feeling eX-
tends in the army. My brother officers have
been TOO kind to report 1t, and far the troops
have been too generous to exhibit it. 1t is fair
however, to suppose that it does exist, and sue
cess Il 80 necessary to us that nothing should be
rsked to secure it. |, therefore, in all sincerity
request your excellency to take measures to sup
ply my place. l do this with the more earnest
ness because no one Is more aware than myself
OF my inability for the duties Of my position |
can not even accomplish what l myself desire
How can l fulfill the expectations Of others
L. addition, sensibly feel the growing failure OF
frum the attack l experienced the past spring.
l am becoming more and more incapable
OF eAertlon. and am thus prevented from
making the personal examinations and
Operations in the field, which | feel TO
be necessary. l am SO dull that in making use
OF the eyes of others l am frequently mlsled.
Everything, therefore, points to the advantages
to be derived from new commander, and the
more anxiously urge the matter upon your excel
lency from my belief that a younger and ADLER
man than myself can readily be obtained. l
know that he will have as gallant and brave an
army as ever existed to second his efforts. and
it weuld be the happiest day of my lie to see at
ia nAaH that WOll1 M
plish more than l could perform, and all that |
have wished. | hope that your excellency Will
attribute my request to the true reason, the de-
sire to serve my country and to do all in my
wer to insure the success OF her righteous
cause.
81 have no complaints to make Of any one but
myself. | have received nothing but Kindness
from those above me, and the most considerable
attention from my comrades and companions in
arms. To your exceency, / am specially in
debsed for uniform kindness and consideration.
You have done everything in your power to aid
me in the work committed to my charge, without
fare. | pray that your efforts may at length be
crowned with success, and that you may long live
to enjoy the thanks Of a grateful people.
with sentiments Of great esteem, am very
"R E. LEE, General.
His Exceilency Jefferson Davis, President Of he
Confederate States
We question whether, at the time, the fact that
Gen. Lee had placed his commission as COM
mander -n-chlef of the Army Of Northern Vir-
gna in the hands Of the President Of the Con-
federate States, with the request that he should
nominate his successor, was communicated by
Mr.. Davis to any save his confidential advisers.
Certain it is, the knowledge Of such an i'm
portant event was current neither IN the army
nor among the Soutnern people at large. Mr..
Dayis's reply is not before US, but we may rest
a. sured that his cheering words and expressions
OF confidence, uttered in the name and on behalf
of the nation, convinced bis favorite lieutenant
that he could most ably fill the measure OF public
expectation, and control the destinies. OF the
grand army upon which the Confederacy
leaned for the protection OF her capital.
His resignation was not pressed and the Con- |
federate hero continued to occupy the position |
for which, above all his companions. he was best
suited, encircng it with the halo Of his pure life
ana great deeds, and rendering it illustrlous for
all time by the tried valor. the self-sacrl1ce and
the devotion of his followers.
This letter NAV well be regarded as truthful |