The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-01-26

A New Chapter I'm the Secret War
HistOry-Ihe Letter Lee Wrote 10
Jefferson Davis After gettysburg.
From Scribners for February.
Although the campaign into Pennsyl-
wanna was not unfrultful of results bene'
fetal to the Southern States; although by
the recent shock of arms aud this aggres-
sive movement the Federal advance up
on Richmond had been materially delay
ed; although the State of Virginia, for
the time being, had been delivered from
the waste and burden of hostile invasion;
although General Lee had, from perilous
environment, wlthd avn his amy strong
in organization, proud in spirit, and with
confidence mistaken, and was IN full pos
session of his legitimate line of defense
he could but acknowledge that all had
not been accomplished which the late ad'
vance was designed to compass. "IhIs
has been = sad day for us, Colonel, sad
day; but we can't expect always to gain
victories was his remark to Colonel
Freemsntle, as, sublime in his indilfer-
ence to personal danger, and calm IN the
midst OF the hurry and confusion OF the
scene, the Confederate leader encouraged
his men when, torn and worn by the bat
tie thew 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 Conieder-
ate hosts, he admitted that he had been
foiled of his aim; and although, In his
own language, if n spirit of disappolnt-
ment aud discomfort existed in his army,
his brother officers had been too kind to
report it, and his troops too generous to
exhibit it; the tone of the public press
and the sentiment of the country indica.
ted dissatisfaction with the results OF u
campaign from which grander achieve
ments had been blindly expected than
the troops and the resources employed IN
its conduct ought, in reason, to have JUS
titled. 1t was not in human nature, III
lis most heroric development and con-
scious of its noblest effort, to remain, I'M
der the circumstances, entirely indiner-
ent to or unaffected by such expression.
As at the time of Picketts repulse he said
To General Wilcox, who in sorrow re-
norted the almost total destruction OF his
brigade. "Never mind, General, all this
has been my fault; it is | who have lost
this fight, and you must help me out oil
il the best way you can"-so now, at
Camp Orange, with dignity, man
hood, and generosity the most remark
able, denying no responsibility, suggest
inc no excuses, indulging in no censures,
he shielded others by taking upon HIM
self alone the soul-depressing burden OF
the general misfortune.
IL WAS under such circumstances that
the following noble letter was penned:
"CAMr ORANGE, s August, lS63.-"Mr.
President-Your letter OF % July and :
Aur have been reed, and l have waited
for a leisure hour IA reply, but l fear that
will never come. am extremely oollg-
cd 10 Won for the attention given to the
wants OF this army, and the efforts made
to supply them. Our aosentees are re,
turning. and | hope the earnest ana
beautiful appeal msdet to the country IN
your proclamation may stir up .he whole
people, and that they may see their duty
and perform 1t. Nothing is wanted but
that their fortitude should equal their
bravery, to insure the success Of our
cause, We must expect revcrses, even
defeats. They are sent to teach Us wis
dom and prudence to call forth greater
or ercies, and to prevent our falling into
greater disasters. Our people will have
only 10 be true and united, to bear man
fully 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
non-fuIfllment Of our expectations.
This Is un becoming in generous people,
and grieve to hear its expression. The
general remedy for the want OF success
/ in military commander is his removal.
This is natural, and in many instances
proper. Nor no matter what may DO the
ability of the officer, if he loses the con-
idcnce OF his troops, disaster must sooner
or later ensue.
81 have been prompted by these re-
iectiens more than once since my return
from Pennsylvania, to propose to your
Excellency the prepriety OF seiechng
smother commander for this army.
have seen and heard of expressions Of
discomfort in the public journals at the
result of the expedition. l do not know
| how far this feeling extends in the army
Nv brother officers have been too KIND
to report 1t, and SO far the troops have
been too generous TO exhibit it. 1t IS tair
however, TO suppose that it does exist, and
success is so necessary to us that moth