Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-03
DAVIS AND LEE.

expression OF President DaVib y coHh'e"S0
in and love for Lee-expressions when ne
reiterated at the Lee memorial meeting
held In this city In 1870. and In his DOOR,
the Rise and Fall OF the Confederate
Government
Here we have Mr.. Davis discussing the
request OF the Legislature OF virginia
that Lee should be appointed to the COM
mand OF all the armies of the Conieue-
racy--subject only to the orders OF the
President, the constitutional Commander
In chief-and answering that he was
ready to make that order as soon as Lee
would consent TO accept the responsibility,
without relinquishing the command OF
the Army OF Northern Virginia. soon
afterwards the order was made, ana 'he
war closed with Lee occupying the posi-
ton OF General In Chief OF the armies Oh
the Confederacy. However, at AppoHal-
tox. Lee signed himself simply X. H.
Lee. General; but there he consented 10
treat for the surrender Of no other army
but his own.
Mr.. Davis says in this letter (Which. so
far as Mr.. Brock or the Dispatch knows
IS now published for the first time) that
Lee was practically General In Chief OF
the armies OF the Confederacy in the sum-
mer OF 1862. when. General Joe johnston
having been wounded, he was called upon
TO take immediate and personal command
of the army before Richmond.
There was great confidence and az
lection between Lee and Davis, and this
continued. not only during the whole
war-whether the tide of battle was run
ming i'm our favor or against us-but Tor
wears afterwards. and until october H.
1870. when Lee dled-Davis survived until
i''''''''N' Executive Office,
Richmond, IS January. 800.
Messrs James +. Johnson, President OIL
Virginia Senate, pro tenn, ana hush
w. Sheffey, Speaker Of Virginia House
OF Delegates:
Gentlemen,-I have the honor 10 ac-
knowledge receipt Of your joint letter Oh
nth instant enclosing resolution OF
the General Assembly of Virginia
passed on the 18th instant, and communl-
Gated TO me in confidence. as directed by
the Assembly. ....
This resolution informs me that, in
the oninion of the General Assembly "
Virginia. the appointment Of General Ro-
bert Il. Lee TO the command OF an
the armies of the Confederate states
would promote their efficiency, and ope-
rate powerfully to reanimate the spirits
~ the armies. as we'll as OF the people
of the several States. and to inspire IN
creased confidence in the final success
OF our cause"
In your communication you kindly as
sure me that "the General Assembly,
with sincere confidence in my patriotlc
devotion to the welfare of the country
desire In this critical period OF our aiialrs'
by such suggestions az occur 10 theih'
and by the dedication, IL need be, OF the
| entire resources of the Commonwealth
| TO the common cause. to strengthen my
hands. and to give success to our struggle
| for liberty and independence"
| This assurance is to me source OF
| the highest qualification; and. while con-
viewing to you my thanks for the express
| sion OF the confidence of the General AS
sembly in my sincere devotion 10 our
country and it's sacred cause, l must peg
nermission in return to bear witness 70
| Tho uncalculating. unhesitating spirit
with which Virginia has, from the mo-
| mont when she first drew the sword, con-
secrated the blood OF her children ano
| all her material resources TO the achleVe'
| ment OF the object of our struggle.
| THE opinion expressei by the Genera
| Assembly i'm regard 10 General r. Il. Lee
| has my full concurrence.
Virginia cannot have higher resarl
| for him. or greater confidence In hi'
character and ability than Is entertained
| by me. When General Lee took com
! mand of the Army of Northern Virginia
he was I'm command of al the armies O
| the Confederate States, by my order o
| assignment. He continued In this gene
raj command, as well as in the lmIneul
ate command Of the Army or Northeri
| Virginia, as long as / could resist M
! oninion that II was necessary Tor MN
| TO be relieved from one Of these TWO uu
ties. Ready, as he has even shown MN
| self to be, to perform any service tnat
desired him to render 10 his country, m
| left II for me 10 choose between his with
| drawal from the command of the arm.
in the field and relieving him or IN
| general command of all the armies
the Confederate States. 1t was onl.
when satisfied OF this necessity that
| came TO the conclusion 10 relieve him iron
the general command believing that IN
safety OF the capital and the success
our cause depended in great measuf
on their retaining him In the conmah'
in the field of the Army OF Northern VIZ
ginia.
on several subsequent occasions IN
desire on nv part to enlarge the spher
of General Lees usefulness has led 4
renewed consideration OF the subject; an
no has always EXPRESSED his inability Z
assume command of other armies ina
those now conhded TO him. unless re
uevcd OF the immediate command In IN
field OF that opposed TO General Grant.
| In conclusion, | assure the General AS
sembly that. whenever It shall be foun
practicable by General Lee 10 assume IN
command OF all the armies of the Con
federate States, without withdrawn
from the direct command OF the Arm
of Northern Virginia. ! will deem II pro
motive of the public interests TO place hir
| i'm such command. and VIII be happ
| TO know that by so doing am respondln
10 their expressed desire.
1t will afford me great pleasure 10 Sc
YOU. gentlemen. as proposed. In your lei
ter whenever 1t may be convenient 10
YOU TO visit me. | am,
Very respectfully and truly yours,
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Endorsed: Communication from JeffeI
son Davis. President OF the Confederat
states. TO President, pro tenn. OF Ser
ate. and Speaker OF House OF Delegates
in response TO their letter. communication
resolutions OF the General Assembly re
commencing appointment of General lie
10 command all the armies OF the cor
federate States"
January 20. 1865. Read In secret session
and resolutions inquiring II its publicauo
will be agreeable 10 him. Adopted.
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