Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-07-22
GEN. LEES RESIGNATION.

GEN. LEES RESIGNATION.
Letter from the Distinguished Confederate
| Commander to Jefferson Davis After
| the Battle of Gettysburg.
| A volume of war records now in
course of preparation at the War De-
partment, writes the Washington cor
respondent of the st. Louis Globe
Democrat, will settle the controversy
whether Gen. Robert E. Lee rendered
his resignation after the battle of Get
tysbnrg. The reply of Jefferson Davis
declining to accept the resignation has
been matter of common information,
but the character of the letter in detail
which called out this reply has been a
matter of inference only until recently.
The letter of resignation of General
Lee will be first printed officially in
supplemental volume of the war rec
ords, which is now being prepared. 1t
is given herewith in it's entirety:
/ "Camp Orange, August s. 1868.
His ExcelIeney Jeferson Dayis, Presi-
dent of the Confederate States:
"Mr. President: Your letters of July
% and August have been received,
and have waited for a leisure hour to
reply. but fear that will never come.
I am extremely obliged to you for the
attention given to the wants of this
army and the efforts made to supply
them. Our absentees are returning
and hope the earnest and beautiful
appeal made to the country in your
proclamation may stir up the whole
people, and that they may see their
duty and perform it. Nothing is want
ed but that their fortitude should equal
their bravery to insure the success of
our cause. We must expect reverses,
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 peo-
pie have only to be true and united, to
bear manfully the misfortunes incident
to war, and all will come right to the
end.
I know how prone we are to censure
and how ready to blame others for the
nonfulflment Of our expectations. This
is unbecoming in a generous people,
and I grieve to see its expression. The
general remedy for the want of success
in military commader is his removal.
This is natural, and in many instances
proper. For, no matter what may be
the ability of the officer, if he loses the
confidence of his troops disaster must
sooner or later ensue.
II have been prompted by these re
Elections more than once since my re-
turn from Pennsylvania to propose to
your excellency the propriety of select
Ing another commander for this army.
[ have seen AMI heard of expressions OF
discomfort in public journals at the re-
suit of the expedition. do not know
how far this feeling extends in the
army. NY brother officers have been
too kind to report it, and SO far the
troops have been too generous to ex-
hibit it. 1t is fair, however, to suppose
that it does exist, and success is so nee
essary to us that nothing should be
risked to secure it. 1, therefore, in all
sincerity, request your excellency to
take measures to supply my place. |
do this with the more earnestDess be-
cause no one is more aware than my
self of my inability for the duties OF my
position. I cannot even accomplish
what l myself dssire. How can fulfil
the expectations of others? In addi
ton sensibly feel the growing failure
of my bodily strength. have not yet
recovered from the attack experience
ed the last spring. / am becoming
more and more incapable of exertion,
and am thus prevented from making
the personal examinations and giving
the personal supervision to the opera
tions in the field which feel to be nee
essary. I am so dull that in making
use of the eyes of others am frequent
| ly misled. Everything, therefore,
points to the advantages to be derived
from a new commander, and the more
anxiously urge the matter upon your
excellency from my belief that young
or and abler man than myself can
readily be obtained. know that he
will have as gallant and brave an army
as ever existed to second his efforts,
and it would be the happiest day of my
| life to see at it's head worthy leader
lone that would accomplish more than
1 could perform and all that l have
wished. l hope your excellency will
attribute my request to the true rea-
son, the desire to serve my country,
and to do all in my power to insure the
success of her righteous cause.
ST have no complaints to make o1
any one but myself. have received
nothing but kindness from those above
me, and the most considerate attention
from my comrades and companions in
arms. To your excellency l am spe
cially Indebted for uniform kindness
and consideration. You have done ev.
lrythipg in your power to aid me in the
work comm tilted to my charge, without
omitting anything to promote the gen
eral welfare. pray that your efforts
may at length he crowned with success
| and that you may long live to enjoy
1.-THE thanks of grateful people.
with sentiments of great esteem,
am, very respectfully and truly. yours
''R. E. LEE, General"
Mr.. Davis wrote, declining to accep1
the resignation, and General Lee re
mained in command until Appomattox
Pension Swind1eS.
From all over the black belt of Ala