The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-23

The whole South IL In q state OF revolution,
into which Virginia, after long struggle.
has been drawn; and though l recognize
no necessity for this state Of things, and
would have forborne and pleaded to the
end for redress Of grievances, real or sup
posed, yet, In my own person, had to meet
the question whether should take part
against my native State" Lee went on
to say: with all my devotion to the
Union and the feeling Of loyalty and duty
Of an American citizen I have not been
able TO make UP my mind to raise my hand
against my relatives, my children. my
home. have therefore resigned my oom-
mission In the army, and, save In defence
Of my native State, with the sincere hope
that my poor services may never be needed,
I trust I may never be called on to draw
my sword. know you will blame me, but
you must think as kindly Of me as you can
and believe that have endeavored to do
what thought right
Some years after the war the opinion was
expressed by Senator Simon Cameron that
II the command OF the United States Army
had been offered to Col. Lee he would
have remained loyal. The correctness
Of the assertion having been questioned by
Senator Reverdy johnson, the latter re-
ceived q letter from Lee under date Of
Feb. IS, 1888 Il DESIRE wrote Lee, that
you may feel certain Of my conduct on the
occasion referred TO- 80 far as my individual
statement can make you. never init
mated to any one that desired the COM
mand Of the United States Army, nor did
ever have conversation on the subject.
except with one gentleman. Mr.. F. p. Blair,
which was at his invitation. and, as under
stood, at the instance OF President Lincoln.
After listening to his remarks declined the
offer he made ME to take command OF the
United States Army that was to be brought
into the field, stating as candidly and as
courteously as I could that, though OPP
posed to secession and depreoating war,
I could take no part In an invasion Of
the Southern States. went directly from
the interview with Mr.. Blair to the Office Of
Gen. SCOTT and told him Of the proposition
that had been made to me. and OF my de-
cision. Upon reflection, after returning to
my home, I concluded that I ought no longer
to retain the commission held in the
United States Army, and on the second
morning thereafter forwarded my resig
nation to Gen. Scott. At the time hoped
that some way would have been found to
save the country from the calamities Of
war. and then had no other intention than
to pass the remainder Of my life as pri-
vate citizen. Two days afterward, upon
the invitation Of the Governor OF Virginia,
repaired to Richmond, found that tn,
convention then in session had passed the
ordinance withdrawing the State from
the Union, and accepted the commission
Of commander Of Its lvirginia'sl forces,
which was rendered me-
Gen. Long has com puted that by the
end Of May, 1861, Lee had organized.
equipped and sent to the field from Vir-
ginia more than $4,000 men, while various
additional regiments were In forward
state Of preparation. On May rs he was
transferred with all the Virginia troops to
the Confederate States Army He ceased
to be a Major-General and became Bnga-
Cier, no higher rank than the latter having
been created as yet in the Confederate
service. Later, when the rank was created.
he was made a full General. When the
Confederate Government moved from
Davis took charge OF all military move
ments, Lee was kept near him as constant
and trusted adviser His experience as an
engineer was Of great service to the young
Confederacy. and he was called upon often
for advice on the location Of batteries and
troops on the different defensive lines
On July IL he wrote to his wife 4 have
never heard Of the appointment, to which
you allude. Of Commander-in-Chief OF the
Confederate States Army, nor have any
expectation or wish for it. President Davis
holds that position Since the transfer OF
the military operations in Virginia to the
authorities OF the Confederate States I
have only occupied the position Of Gen.
eral in that service, with the duties de-
volved on me by the President. I have
been laboring to prepare and get into the
field the virg inia troops and TO etrengthen
by those from the other States the threat
ened commands Of Johnston, Beauregard,
Huger, Garrett. DC. Where I shall 60
do not know. as that will depend on Presi-
dent Davis In another letter to Mrs.
Lee, penned on July 81, six days after the
Battle OF Manassas, he writes THAT in
deed, was a glorious victory, and has light
ened the pressure upon our front amazingly.
- hope God will again smile on US
and strengthen our hearts and arms. I
wished to partake in the former struggle
and am mortified at my absence, but the
President thought II more important I
should he here lin Richmond. / could
not have done as we'll as has been done,
but could have helped. and taken part in
the struggle for my home and neig hborhood.
So the work is done, care not by whom 1t is
done. leave tomorrow for the North
west Army. wished to 60 before, as /
wrote you, and was all prepared, but the
indications wero evident OF the coming
battle. and in the uncertainty Of the re-
suit the President forbade my departure.
Now It Is necessary. and he consents"
1t was thought best at this time to send
Gen. Lee to take command OF military
operations in West Virginia. OF the Con-
federate campaign In that quarter Col
Taylor in his -Four Years With Gen.
Lee" says: Judged from It's results, 1t
must be confessed that this series OF ope-
rations was failure. At its conclusion
a lar &c portion Of the State was In posses
sion Of the Federals. including the rich
valleys Of the Ohio and Kanawha rivers,
and 30 remained until the close Of the war.
y