The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-10-04

Most of the Published Letters Are
 Those Addressed to the Mem
 bers of the Immediate
 Family.
 New York, October 3.-In "Recollections and Letters of General Robert E. Lee," by his son, Robert E. Lee, which has just been issued from the press of Double day, Page & Co.,, an interesting volume has been added to the literature of the civil war and the most Intimate picture yet drawn of the southern commander In his private and official life Is given. The author does not attempt to enter the field of the historian as far as the war itself is concerned As the title of the implies, it is largely composed of his fathers let ters, most of them to his immediate fam fly, and he makes no aeuiton of value to the military history of the late war. The chief interest of the book lies in it's per- sonal phase. as relating to the daily life, the mental attitude and characteristics of General Lee.
 This correspondence. most of it of the most intimate character, in measure serves to reflect General Lees views on the great questions with which his career is so closely bound. Writing with all the freedom of husband and father to wife and children, or to intimate friends, let ters which he probably never dreamed would see print the man himself stands revealed. Throughout his correspondence is a devoutly religious tone. Hardly letter is given but which evidences the deep faith of the man. Writing from camp and from battlefield, he seldom failed to acknowledge or invoke divine help for his cause, his family and him self. There is a notable absence of mill itary information in these letters. Wher- ever it is brought in it is incidental and those who anticipated light on the mili- tary problems of the great struggles will be disappointed.
 Lees Own Utterance.
 The author condenses into one chapter the period prior to his fathers resigna- tion from the United States army, and confines himself to General Lees own ut terances in letters to his family and friends as to the motives which actuated him in his decision. Writing to his sister, Mrs. Ann Marshall, on the day he tender ed his resignation, General Lee said
 Now we are in a state of war which will yield to nothing The whole south t. of int uuh ginia, after a long struggle, has been drawn; and though I recognize no neces- sity 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 l had to meet the question whether l should take part against my native state. With all my devotion to the union and the feel ing 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. l have therefore resigned my commission in the army and save in defense of my native state, with the sincere hope that my poor services may never be needed. I hope I may never be called on to draw my sword'' On the same day he wrote in similar strain to his brother, Capt. Sydney Smith Lee, of the United States navy.
 Writes Senator Johnson.
 In 1868 General Lee wrote to Senator Reverdy Johnson in regard to a debate in the senate in which Senator Simon Cameron had made certain statements. In this letter General Lee said: "I never intlmated 10 any one that I desired the command of the United States army; nor did l ever have a conversation with but one gentleman, MT. Francis Preston Blair, on the subject, which wa5 at his invi- tation and as l understood, at the in- stance of President Lincoln. After listen- ing to his remarks I declined the offer he made me, to take command of the army that was to be brought into the field; stating as courteously as I could that, though opposed to secession and de- precating war, I could take no part in an invasion of the southern states"
 General Lee adds that h. went direct ly to Gen sral Scott, told nm of the pro- position that had been made him, and two days later, concluding that he ought no longer retain his commission, resign ed from the army. Two days later on invitation of the governor of Virginia, he went to Richmond, found that the con vention had passed the secession ordin-
 
 mander in chief of the state forces.
 Letters to Wife.
 There follows many letters written in the spring and summer of 1861 to his wlte at Arlington. counselling her on Iamily matters and the homely duties of ms estate and household On May b ne was transferred with his command to the Confederate states army. In a let ter ne said: T do not know what my po- sltlon will be- I should like to retire, but II can be of any service to the state or her cause, l must continue"
 soon after the first battle of Manassas deneral Lee was sent into West Virginia, ana Tn the numerous letters to his family he interestingly describes the country, his raw soldiers and the difficulties he faced lhese letters were continud with great 'gularity after he was sent to South Car Dina in the winter of 1861 Many of these Ire deeply religious. Writing his wife on Christmas day he said: "If we can only become sensible of our transgressions so IS to be fully penitent and forgiven, that this heavy punishment under which we labor may with justice be removed from IS and the whole nation. what gracious of all that we have en- lured it will be-
 In the same letter he voices his forbod- ngs for his old home and says if it is de- ;troyed he would like to purchase Strat- lord Con the lower Potomac). Tt is poor place." he adds, but we could make enough corn bread and bacon for our sup port and the girls could weave us ,lothes''
 Entered as a Private.