Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-07-10
MARY J. HOLMES.
THE TURN OF FATE.
How General Lee Might Have Command
ed the Union Army.

Washington Post.
But for his devotion to the state which
to-day hOnors him, General Robert Z. Lee
might have been the commander-in-ch chief
of the Union forces. All his biographers
are agreed npon this point, and quite a
number of officers on the Northern side
have corroborated the fact, which does not,
however, appear to be generally known.
Lee, who was in Texas when the war-cloud
first threatened, had been summoned to
Washington. Between him and General
Scott, then commander-in-chief of the
2rmy, there existed the warmest personal
friendship, while the admiration of the
elder officer for the ability of his younger
colleague was extreme. General Scott
used every argument to keep Lee from re-
signing his commission in the regular
army. To retain him in the service he
had been appointed upon his arrival In
Washington to a full colonel, and soon
afterward his name was sent in, with
others, by Scott as a proper person to fill
the vacancy caused by the death of Briga-
er General Jessup. To these practical
evidences ofregard General Scott added his
personal and almost irresistible appeals.
When it is remembered that Lee was at
this time regarded as the ablest officer in
the army; that he had rendered valuable
and intelligent service in the Mexican and
Indian wars, and that be was of famous
lineage, wealth, and of unsulied character,
it Is not matter or surprise that Presi-
dent Lincoln also desired to retain his
services. That overtures where made to
Lee to take command of the army seems
established beyond doubt, although still
denied In some quarters. Mrs. Lee, writ
ing to a friend, stated that her husband
has been told by General Scott that when
the latter resigned Lee would get the posi-
ton. Francis Preston Blair, the father of
Montgomery Blair, then in Lincolns
Cabinet, went to Lee and said: Il come
to you ON the part of President Lincoln to
tsk whether any inducement that he can
offer will prevail on you to take command
OF the Union army
IF 1 OWNED, REPLIED COLONEL LEE,
''the 100000 slaves would cheerfully
sacrifice them to the preservation of the
Union, but to lift my hand against my own
State and people is impossible y
This conversation was repeated by Mr..
Blair to a well-known resident of this city,
who made a memorandum of it. The
most valuable testimony, however, is that
of General Lee himself, as given in letter
addressed to Hon. Reverdy Johnson on
Feb. 25, 1868. In this letter he used the
following language:
81 never in5imated to any one that de-
sired the command Of the United States
army, nor did | ever have a conversation
with but one gentleman, Mr.. Francis
Preston Blair, ON the subject, which was
at his invitation, and as | understood, at
the instance of President Lincoln. After
listening to his remarks | declined the Of
fer he made to take command of the army
that was to be brought into the field, stat
ing, as candidly and courteously as
could, that, though opposed to secession
and deprecating war, | could take no part
In an invasion of the southern States.
II went directly from the interview with
Mr. Blair to General Scott-told him of
the proposition that had been made to me
and my decision. Upon reflection after
home | concluded that | ought
no longer to retain any commission | held
in the United States army, and on the
second morning thereafter forwarded my
to General Scott.
''At the time hoped that peace would
have been preserved-that some way would |
be found to save the country from the cal |
antilles of war; and then had no other |
intent IN than to pass the remainder of
lite as private citizen.
1.-TWO days afterward, on the invitation
IF the Governor of Virginia, | repaired to
found that the convention then
in session had passed the ordinance with
lrawing the state from the Union and &C
,epted the commission of commander of its
orces, which was rendered me. These are
he simple facts of the case"
THE LETTER OF RESIGNATION,
% which General Lee refers, was dated at
Arlington on the Goth of April, 1861, and
vas as follows:
General: Since my interview with you
N the 18th instant, have felt that |
ought not longer to retain my commission
n the army. | therefore tender my res
gnation, which | request. you will recon-
mend for acceptance. 1t would have been
presented at once but for the struggle it
las cost me to separate myself from SER
ice to which | have devoted all the best
ears Of my life and all the ability pos
ess.
During the whole of that time more