The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-07-21
GEN. LEES
The Great Confedersts's Letter to Presi-
dent Je frerson Davis.

dent Jt Hrerson Davis.
A volume of war records now in
course of preraration at the war de.
partment will settle the controversy
whether Gen. Robert E. Lee rendered
his resignation sitter the battle of Get
tysburg. The reply of Jefferson
Davis declining to accept the resigna-
ton has been q matter Of common in
formation, but the character of the
letter 10 detail which called out this
reply has been a matter OF inference
only until recently. The letter of
resignation Of Gen. Leo will be first
printed officially in a supplemental
volume of the war records which is
now being prepared 1t 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 re
| ceived, and I have waited for a leisure
hour to reply, but 1 fear that will
never come. lam 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 1 hope the earnest
and beautiful appeal made to the
country in your proclamation may
stir up the whole people, and that
they rlay see their duty and perform
il. Nothing is wanted but that their
fortitude should equal their bravery to
Insure the success of Jul cause. We
must expect reverses, even defeats.
They are sentt to teach us wisdom and
prudence, to call forth greater ener
pies, and 10 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 r to CEN
sure and how ready to blame others
for the non fulfllment of our expec'
tations. This is unbecoming in a
generous people. and I grive to see its
expression. The general remedy for
the want of success in a military com.
mander is his removal. This is natu-
raj, and in many instances proper.
| For no matter what may be the ability
of the officer, if he looses the conf.
dence of his troops disaster must soon
er or later ensue.
81 have been prompted by these re-
| Elections more than once since my re-
turn from Pennsylvania to propose to
your excellency the propriety OF So
lecting 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-
lion. l do not know how far this
feeling 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. 1t 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, re
quest your excellency to take measures
TO supply my place. I do this with
| the more ~earnestness because no n
lis more aware than myself of my in
ability for the duties of my position.
I cannot even accomplish what I my.
self desire. How can l fill the ex.
pectations of others9 In addition, l
sensibly feel the growing failure OF
my bodily strength. l have not yet
recovered from the attack l expert
enced the past spring. 1 am becom-
ing more and more incapable of exer.
ton, and am thus prevented from
making the personal examinations
and giving the personal supervision
to the operations in the field which |
feel to be necessary. l am so dull!
that in making use of the eyes OF
others am frequently misled. Every.
| thing therefore, points to the advan.
| tages to be derived from a new COM
mander, and I the more anxiously
urge the matter upon your excellency
from my belief that a younger and
ADLER man than myself can readily be
obtained. I know that he will have
as gallant and brave an army as ever
| existed to second his efforts, and 1t
would be the happiest day of my life
to see at its head a worthy leader
one that would accomplish more than
i could perform and all that I have
wished. 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.
have no complaints to make of any
one but myself. 1 have received moth
ling but kindness from those above me,
and the most conslderate attention
from my comrades and companions
in arms. To your e1cellency l am
specially indebted for unifmorm kind
ness and consideration. You have
done everything in your power to aid
me in the work committed to my
charge, without emitting anything to
promote the general welfare. l pray
tthat your efforts may at length be
crowned with success, and that you
may long live to enjoy the thanks OF
a grateful people.
with sentiments of great esteem,
am, very respectfully and truly
yours, "R. e. LEE, General"
MI. Davis wrote, declining to &C.
cept the resignation, and Gen. Lee re-
manned in command until Appomat-
tox.