The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-07-28
Lees Resignation.

WASHINGTON, July 81 volume
of war records now in course of pre-
paration at the war department will
settle the controversy whether Gen.
Robert E. Lee rendered his resigna-
ton after the battle Of Gettysburg.
The reply of Jefferson Davis declining
to accept the resignation has been a
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 recent
ly. The letter of resignation of Gen.
Lee will be first printed officially in a
supplemental volume of the War Re-
cords, which is now being prepared.
It is given herewith in its entirety:
CAMp ORANGE, Aug. 8, 1868.
ellis Excellency, Jefferson Davis,
President of the Confederate States.
Mr.. President Your letters Of July
% and August 2 have been received;
and I 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 sup
ply them. Our absentees are return
ing, and I hope the earnest and beau
tifuA 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 wanted 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 pru-
dence, to call forth greater energies,
and to prevent our falling into greater
disasters. Our people. have only to
be true and united, to bear m~anfully
the misfortunes incident to war, aud
all will come right in the end.
IT know how prone we are to CEN
sure and how ready to blame others
for the nonfulflment Of our expecta-
tions. This is unbecoming in a gen.
erous people, and I grieve to see its
expression. The general remedy for
the want Of success in a military oom-
mander is his removal. This is natur-
al 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 nsue.
"I have been prompted by these re-
Elections more than once since my re-
turn from Pennsylvania to propose to
your Ex~cellency the propriety Of
selecting another commander for this
army. I have seen and heard Of ex-
p%ressions of discomfort in the public
Journals at the result Of the expedi-
ton. I do not know how far this feel
ing extends in the army. My brother
officers have been too kind to report
it, and SO far the troops have been too
generous to exhibit it. It is fair,
however, to suppose that it does exist,
and success is so necessary to US that
nothing should be risked to secure it.
I, therefore, in all sincerity, request
your Excellency to take measures to
supply my place. l do this with the
more earnestness because no one is
more aware than myself Of my inability
for the duties Of my position. | can.
not even accomplish what [ myself
desire. How can fulfill the expecta
tions Of others ? In addition I sensi-
bly, feel the growing failure of my
bodily strength. I have not yet re.
covered from the attack I experienced
the past spring. I am becoming more
and more incapable Of exertion, and
am thus prevented from making the