The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1876-01-30
npuoiished Letter of Gen. Lee
Hhs effer TO Hesi.a After the
Hattie OF Get ysbur..
CAMP ORANGE Ann : 1oee

CAMP ORANGE. Aug. s. 1863.
mK' PRESIDENT: Your letters of 18Th
July anu I'd August have been received, and
nave waited for leisure hour 10 reply but
l rear That viii never come am extreme
~ Obliged to you FOR the attention .eiyen TO
Tue wants of this army. and the efforts made
70 supply them. Our absentees are return
ing, ana L hope the earnest and beautiful
appeal made TO che country in your procIa-
ma lOn may stir up the whole people, and
thaC tney may see their duty and perform
IL. Nothing is wanting but that their forth
tuoe should equal their bravery to ensure
Tue success OF our cause. We must expect re-
verses. 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 manfnlly
the mistortunes incident 70 war. and all
will come right In the end.
know how prone we are 20 censnre and
how ready 20 blame Others for the non-ful
filment ofour expectations. This is unbe
coming in a generous people, and I gTieve
to see its expression. The general remedy
Tor the want of success in a military COM
mander is his emoval. This is natural. and
In many instances proper. For nc matter
what may be the ability of the officer,
If 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
| propriety of selecting another commander
| 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 it. It is fair,
/ however to suppose that it does exist, and
| success is SO necessary to US that nothing
should be risked to secure it. | therefore,
| with all sincerity, request your EXcellency
to take measures to supply my place. / do
| this with the more earnestneSS because nc
one is more aware than myself of nay ina
biliCy for the duties of my position. | can
not even accomplish what | myself desire
How can | fulfill the expectation of others
In addition, sensibly feel the growing
failure of my bodily strength. [ have MOI
| vet recovered from the attack | experienced
the past spring. | am becoming more anC
more incapable of eXertion, and am thu;
prevented from making the personal exam
/ nations, and giving the personal superb
sion to the operation in the field, which
feel to be necessary. | am SO dull that il
frequently misled. Everything, there
fore, points to the advantage to be derived
from new commander, and / the more
anxiOusly urge the matter upon your Elk
cellency from my belief that younger ano
ADLER man than myself can readily b'
| L
as gallant and brave an army as eve
existed, to second his efforts and i
would be the happiest day of my lif
to see at its head worthy leader; on
that would accomplish more than L coult
perform, and all that | have wished. L hop
your Excellency will attribute my reqnes
to the true reason, the desire TO serve m.
country, and to do all in my power to ell
sure the success of her righteous cause.
| have no complaints TO make OF anyon
but myself L have received nothing bu
kindness from those above me, and TIL
most considerable attention from my com
rades and companions III arms To you
Excellency | am specially indebted for uni
form kindness and consideration. 70
have done everything in your power to ali
me in the work committed to my charge
: without emitting anything to promote tn
general welfare. l pray that your effort
may at length be crowned with success, an
that you may long live to enjoy the thank
e of a grateful people.
+ With sentiments of great esteem, L al
! very respectfully and truly yours,
l X. E. LEE. General.
e To his Excellency, jefferson Davis, Pres
6 idant of tho Confederate States.