Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-10-29
MCLELLAN's LETTER TO LEE.
A Communication said to Have Been
Sent After Antictam.
(Philadclphia PIess.l

tPhllaQtlpnld 1ItSS.)
At a social entertainment in honor of
the Catholic Bishops in New York city
one of these pious men. a distinguished
authority Of the Catholic Church of the
South. told a story, which was listened
10 with intense interest, and which, he
said he had received himself from Gene
raj Longstreet. He said that after the
battle of Antietam, when Lees army
was in retreat. General LOngstreet re-
ceived a message from General Lee, urg-
ing him 10 call AZ Lees headquar-
tiers as soon as possible Longstreet
made haste to obey the summons, and
when he had greeted his superior and
chatted with him for a few moments
Lee took him aside, that he might have
private conversation with him. When
they were thus apart from others Gene
raj Lee said 10 him:
General Longstreet, ! have this morn
ing received a letter from General Nc
Clellan. IL has given me great deal
of anxiety. l have sent for you 10 ask
you what you think of it, for l confess
that l am perplexed as to my own
course"
Here General Les handed the letter of
which he spoke to General Longstreet,
who, after reading II, found that it con-
tanned an urgent request from General
Mcclellan for a meeting, either that day
or not later than the next, for discus
sion of a subject Of highest Importance.
As General Longstreet handed the let
ter back 10 General Lee. he said to Lee:
what do you think of it?'
Il do not know what to think, and l
wish you would give the subject careful
consideration. and let me know tonight
what your opinion is"
General Longstreet asked that he might
take the letter with him back 10 his own
headquarters. that he might read and re-
read Il. and consent was given. In the
afternoon. as he was reading the letter
again, General Toombs called upon him,
and Longstreet said TO him: General.
j am going to take the liberty Of show
ing you a letter which General Lee re-
ceived a few hours ago from General
Mcclellan. and 10 get your opinion upon
H." Toombs read the letter. and then
said: "There Is something Of the highest
consequence behind that letter. My
opinion is that General Lee ought to see
General Mcclellan, so that he may know
what purpose Mcclellan had in mind
when writing IT," And Longstreet said
in response: THAT, too. is my opinion.
General Lee asked my advice, and was
not ready TO give IT, but now that find
that your opinion and mine are the same
l shall say so TO General Lee"
He mounted his horse Immediately and
rode TO General Lees headquarters. And
he told Lee that he had taken the liberty
OF showing the letter to Toombs. and
had found that Toombs and ne
were OF the same opinion, which was
that General Lee ought TO grant McClel-
lan's request.
General Lee said: 81, too. have been
thinking this matter over. and | have
come 10 an opinion. / reason Ia this way:
General Mcclellan cannot want 10 see
me In relation 10 an exchange Of prison
ers or any kindred subject. There Is
perfect understanding about those things.
Al all events. ne would have 80 sug-
gested In his letter. IL he wants 10 see
me about the conduct Of the war he pro.
poses discussion which neither he nor
have any right 10 enter upon with one
another. IL he wants TO see me with
regard 10 any settlement OF this strife.
ne Is assuming authority for himself and
Tor me which We do not possess. Those
subjects are exclusively for the admins.
ration az Richmond and the administra-
ton al Washington. will not see him"
General longstreet asked permission 20
retain the letter. and General Lee con-
scented TO that. The retreat rolled miles
away. until General Lees army was