The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1876-02-02
unpublished Letter Of Gscm. Lee
EMis Offer 20 Resign After the
Battle Of Gettysburg.


CAMP ORANGE, Aug. s, 1863.
Mr. President: Your letters of 2sth
July and ~ August have been received, and
have waited for leisure hour 10 reply, but
| fear that will never come. / am extreme
" Obliged 10 You for the attention given 60
the wants of this army. and the efforts made
10 supply them. our abseute,s are return
ing, and / hope the earnest and beautiful
appeal made 20 Che country in your prOcla-
MA ion may stir up The whole people, and
that they may see thclT duty and perform
it. NOthiug is wanting but that their forth
tude should equal their bravery To ensure
the success # Our cause. We must expect rec
verses. even defeats. They are sent to teach
Us wisdom and prudence. 10 call forth
greater uergirs. and 20 prevent our falling
into greater disasters. Our people have
only 10 be true aud united, 10 bear maufully
the misiOrtuues incident 10 war, and an
will come right iu the end.
/ know how prone we are % ceusuF", ana
how ready 90 blame Others for the uOu-tul-
filment OfOur expectations, This Is uube-
coming IN generous people, aud gficFe
10 see It's expression. The general remedy
for the want OF success iu military COM
mandcT is his iemoval, This Is natural, aud
in many instances proper. For no matter
what may hc the abiuty OF the officer,
e he loses the confidence Of his troops,
disaster must sooner or later ensue.
| have been prompted by these reflections
more than once since my return from Penn
sVlVania. to propose TO Your ENcclcncy the
for this army. | have seen and heard of
expressions OF discomfort in the public jour
nails at the result OF the expedition. 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
been too generous to exhibit IN. To is fair,
however To suppose that IL does exist, and
success is so necessary % az lhaJ nothing
should be Ti-ked 70 secure 10. / therefore,
with all sincerity, request your ENcClleucV
a ]
this with the more earncstness because no
one is more aware than myself OF my ina
bility for the duties Of my position. j CAM
not even accomplish what ! myself desire.
How can iulhli the expectation Of others
La addition. I sen-ibly feel the growing
failure Of NV bodily strength. ! have NOT
yet recovered from the attack experienced
the past spring. | am becoming more and
more incapable Of eXertiou, and am thus
prevented from making the personal exam-
nations, and giving the personal Rupersi-
sion 10 the operation la the field which
/ feel to be necessary. ] am 50 dull that iu
making use OF the ewes Of others I am
frequently msled. Everything, there
fore, points 20 the advantage TO be derived
from new commander, aud / the more
anXiOusly urge the matter upon your EX-
cellency from my belief thatH younger aud
ADLER man than myself can readily DE
obtained. ! know that he will have
as gallant and brave an army az ever
existed, to second his efforts and it
would be the happiest day Of my life
TO see at its head a worthy leader; one
that would accomplish more than ! could
perform, and all that have wished. L hope
your Excellency will attribute my request
to the true reason, the desire to serve my
country, and TO do all In my power TO enc
sure the success Of her righteous cause.
have no complaints 70 make Of anyone
but myself. j have received nothing bat
| kindness from those above me, and tho
most considerate attention from my COM
rades and companions In arms. To your
Excellency / arm specially indebted for Mui-
form kindness and consideration. You
have done everything in your power 20 ala
| me in the work committed 20 my charge,
without emitting anything 10 promote the
/ general welfare. / pray that your efforts
| NAV at length be crowned with success and
| that you may long live 20 enjoy the thanks
/ OF a grateful people.
| With sentiments OF great esteem, 4 am
very respectfully and truly yours,
r.. 10. LEE. General.
To his Excellency, jefferson Davis, Pres
ident of the Confederate States.