The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-07-21
GEN. LEES RESIGNATION.
Tho Grsas Cor tedorate's Letter TO Presl-
dent ] G,,rson DAVIS.

dent j G,rson Davis.
A volume of war records now in
c2urs= Of prenn7stion 81 the war De.
rartment will settle ire controversy
rhather Gen. Robert E. Lee terdered
his resignation after the battle Of Get
tysourg, Tbe reply OF Jeferson
Davis declining to accept the reslgEa-
Ton las been q matter OF common in
formation, but the character of the
letter in Geta;l Which called cut this
reply has been matter OF inference
onlv until recently. The letter of
resignation OF Gen. Lee will be first
pria.Ad officially in a supplemental
volume Of the war records which is
now being prepared It is given
herewith il is entirety:
CAMP ORANGE. Aug. S, 1868.
His ExcelIency jefferson Davis,
President Ct the Confederate States.
Mr.. PRESIDENT: Your letters Oh
July % and August have been re
ceigad, aud I have waited for a leisure
hour 10 reply, but l fear that will
never cone. lam extremely obliged
10 you for the attention given to the
wants OF this army and the ef)rts
made to supply tAem. Oar absentees
are returning, ana l hcpe the earnest
and beautiful appeal made to the
couatrc IN your proclamation may
sir 10 the whole people, and that
they may see their duty and perform
il. NoIling is wante1 but that their
fartitude shouid eqGal their bravery to
insure tae success OF Cur cause. We
must expect r5verses, even defeats.
They are sentto teach y. wisdom and
prudence, to call forth greater ener
eies, aaG to prevent our falling into
greater disasters. Our people have
only TO be true and united, to bear
manfully The misfortunes incident to
war, and al will come right in the
end.
Il know how prone we sre to cen
sure and how ready to blame others
for the BON ful6llmen: OF our expec
talions. This is unbecoming ia 8
generous people. and l griye to see its
expression. The general renedy for
the want Of sIccess IN a military COM
marder is his removal. This is natu-
raj, and in many instances proper.
For no matter what may be the ability
Of the officer, If be looses the conG-
deDce Of MS troops disaster must soon
er or later ensue.
= have been prompted by these re-
lectiors more than once since my re-
turn IRON Pennsylvania to propose to
vouc excellency the propriety Of Sc.
lectine another commander for this
army. have seen and heard OF ex
preSsions OF discomfort IN the public
journals at the result OF the expedi-
lien. do rot know how far this
feeling extends in the amy. My
brother Officers have been 100 kind to
report it, and 50 far the troops have
been too generous to exhibit It. Il is
fair, however to suppose that 1t does
exist, ard success isso necessary to US
that nothing should ber;sked to secure
it. I therefore, in all sincerity, re.
quest your excellenc5 to take measures
10 supply my place. [ do this with
the more earnestness because no one
is mere aware than myself of my IN
ability for the duties OF my position.
I cannot even accom- plisn what l my
self desire. How can l fill the ex-
pactations OF others2 In addition, |
tensihIv feei the growing failure Of
ny bodily strength. I have not yet
recovered from the attack l expert
enced the pas: spring. l am becom:
ing more and more incapable Of exer.
ton. and am thus prevented from
making the personal examinstlons
and giving the personal supervision
TO the operations IN the field which l
feel TO be necessary. | am 50 dUl!
that ii making use Of the ewes OF
others lam frequently misled. Every
thing therefore, points to the advan,
tages to be derived from a new COM
maBdar, and I the more anxiously
urge the mater upon your exceIIency
from nv belief that younger and
ADLER man than myself can readily be
obtained. I know that he will have
as gallant and brave an army SIS ever
existed TO second his efforts, and It
would be the happiest day OF my lie
10 see at It's head worthy leader
one that would accomplish more than
/ could perform and all that l have
wished. hope your excellency will
attribute nv request to the true res.
son, the desire TO serve my country,
AID to do all ii my power to insure
me success Of her righteous cause.
I have no complains to make Of any
one but myself. I bave received noth-
ing but kindness from those above ne,
and the most cousIdsrate attention
from 10. comrades and companions
ia arms. To your exceliency | am
specially indebted forunifmorn kind
ness and consideration. You nave
done everything IL your power to aid
me IN the work committed to 10Y
charge, without emitting anything TO
promote the general welfare. | pray
that your efforts may at length he
crowned with success, and that you
may long live TO enioy the thanks OF
4 grateful people.
With sentiments OF great esteem,
Z an, very respectfully snd truly
yours. "R Z. LEE. General. "
Mr.. Davis wrote, declining to &C,
cept the resignation, and Gen. Lee re.
manned II command until Appomat-
tQX.