The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-07
GEN. LEE RESIGNED.
After Gettysburg the Confederate
Commander Asked to Be Relieved.
Washington Special in ST. Louis Globe
Democrat.

commander Asked To BE Renewed.
Washington Special in st. Louis Globe
Democrat.
A volume of war records, now in course
of preparation at the War Department will
settle the controversy whether General
Robert Z. Lee rendered his resignation
after the battle of Gettysburg. 1t will con-
tain a letter from General Lee TO Jefferson
Davis, The date Is about one m mon after
that the letter dif not appear at the time
the correspondent relating to that period
was publshed D! ne department Is that rs
existence was not known. The reply Of
Jefferson Davis declining to accept the res
ignation has been matter of common in
formation, but the character of the letter
in detail, which called out this reply. has
been a matter of inference only until re-
Gently. The letter of resignation of General
Lee will be first printed officially in a sup
Elemental volume of the war records which
is now being prepared 1t is given herewith
in it's entirety:
Camp Orange. Aug 8, 1s63-His Excel
lency Jefferson Davis, President of the Con-
federate States Mr.. President-Your let
ters of July 2S and Aug. have been re-
ceived. and / have waited for leisure hour
to reply but | fear that will never come
l am extremely obliged to you for the at
and the efforts made to supply them. Our
abSenteeS are returning, and | hope the
country in your proclamation may stir up
the whole people, and that they may see
their duty and perform It, Nothing is
wanted but that their forttude 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 people have only to
be true and united, to bear manfully the
miSfOrtuneS incident to war, and all will
come right in the end
II know how prone we are to censure and
how ready to blame others for the nom
fulhllment Of our expectations. This is I'M
becoming in a generous people and | greve
to see its expression The general remedy
for the want of success in a military COM
mander is his removal This is natural.
and, in many instances. proper. For no
matter what may be the ability of the of
ficer. if he loses the confidence of his troops
disaster must sooner or later enSue.
II have been prompted by these retlec-
tions more than once since my return from
Pennsylvania to propose to your Excel
lencY the propriety of selecting another
commander for this army. l have seen and
public journals at the result of the expedi-
ton. | do not know how far this feeling
extends in the army My brother officers
have been too kind to report 1t, and so far
the troops have been too generous to ex-
hibit It, 1t lis fair however, to suppose that
1t does exist, and success is so necessary
to us that nothing should be risked to Sc
cure it. l, therefore. IN all sincerity. re-
quest your Excellency to take measures to
supply my place. | do this with the more
earnestness because no one is more aware
than myself of my inability for the duties
Of my position. l cannot even accomplish
expectations of others? In addition
sensibly feel the growing failure of my
bodily strength. I have not yet recovered
from the attack I experienced the past
spring. l am becoming more and more
incapable of exertion, and am thus pre-
vented from making the personal eXamina-
tions and giving the personal supervision
to the operations in the field which I feel
to be necessary. ! am so duh that in max
ing of the eyes of others | am fire.
quently misled Everything therefore
points to the advantages to be derived from
new commander, and l the more anx-
iousy urge the matter upon your Excel
lency from my belief that younger and
ADLER man than myself can readily be OBJ
tanned / know that he will have as gal
liant and brave an army as ever existed to
second his efforts, and ii would be the hap
Diest day of my life to see at its head a
worthy leader-one that would acCoODlish
more than I could perform and all that |
have wished / hope your EXcellency will
the desire to serve my country. and to do
all in my power to insure the success of
her righteous cause.
II have no complaints to make OF any
one but myself 7 have received nothing
but kindness from those above me and the
most considerate attention from my com
radcs and companions in arms. To your
EXceliency / am specially indebted for uni
form kindness and consideration. You have
done everything IN your power to aid me
in the work committed to my charge. with
out emitting anything to promote the gem
eral welfare. i pray that your efforts NAV
at length be crowned with success and that
you may long live TO enjoy the thanks of
grateful people
with sentiments of great esteem I am
very respectfully and truly, yours.
r.. r. LEE. General"
Mr.. Davis wrote. declining TO accept the
resignation, arc General Lee remained In
command until Appomattox.