The Washington times., 1904-10-09


he did not see how any man could ride
a horse for any length OF time without
a perfect understanding being estab-
Eshed between them"
Letter to General Scott.
On the day following the secession Of
Virginia on April Il. 1851, General Lee
had long conference with General
Winfield Scott, commandeF-in-Chief Of
the United States army. Two days later
ne rendered his resignation Of his com
mission in the United States army. On
the same day he wrote to General
Scott;
Since my interview with YOU on the
18th instant I have felt that / ought
no longer TO retain my commission in
the army. 1 therefore tender my res
ignation, which I request you viii rec
ommend for acceptance. It would have
been presented at once but for the strug-
gle IL has cost me 60 separate myself
from a service to which I have devoted
the best years OF my life, and all the
ability 1 possessed
During the whole OF that time-more
tnan a quarter Of a. century, have ex-
perienced nothing but kindness from my
superiors, and a most cordial friend
ship from my comrades, To no one,
general, have I been so much Indebted
as TO yourself for Uniform kindness and
consideration, and il has always been
my ardent desire to merit your appro-
baton. / shall carry 10 the grave the
most grateful recollections OF your kind
consideration, and your name and fame
shall always be dear TO me. Save in
the defense Of my native State, I never
desire again 70 draw my sword.
Answers CameTon's Charges.
In 1865 Senator Simon Cameron made
certain statements regarding General
Lee on the hOor OF the Senate. Excep-
ton TO them was taken by Senator
Reverdy Johnson who expressed his
entire disbelief OF the correctness Of
what the Senator from Pennsylvania
had stated. The attention of General
Lee was called 20 the debate and he at
once wrote to Senator Johnson, stating
the facts of the case referred 10 by
Senator Cameron. He said in part;
Ell desire that you may feel certain Of
my conduct on the occasion referred to,
so far as my individual statement can
make you. i never iutimated 20 anyone
that desired the command Of the
United States Army; nor did 1 have a
conversation with but one gentleman.
Mr.. Francis Preston Blair. on the sub
5ect, which was at his invitation, and,
as A4AA-t-4 AA-INA1 az LA4E inst lance u
President Lincoln. After listening 10
his remarks ! declined the offer
he made me. to take command of the
army that was 20 be brought into the
field; stating, as candidly and as cour-
teOusly as i could, that, though op-
posed TO secession and deprecaung war.
I could take no part IN an invasion OF
the Southern States.
could Not Retain Commission"
IT went directly from the interview
with Mr.. Blair 10 the ONCE OF General
Scott; told him Of the proposition that
had been made to me. and my decision.
Upon reflection after returning 70 my
home, 1 concluded that ] ought no
longer 10 retain the commission held
in the United States army. ard on the
second morning thereafter I forwarded
my resignation 10 General Scott
AT the time. / hoped that peace
would have been preserved; that some
way would have been found 70 save the
country from the calamities OF war.
and i then had no other Intention than
% pass the remainder OF my life as a
private citizen. Two days afterward.
upon the invitation OF the Governor OF
Virginia repaired 40 Richmond: found
that the convention then in session had
passed the ordinance Withdrawing the
State from the Union. and accepted the
commission Of commander OF its forces,
which was rendered me"
Could Not Please Editors.
After the first battle Of Manassas.
General Lee was sent 20 take charge Of
the military operations in West Vir-
GINA, He was very much handicapped
by the lack OF supplies, the great
amount OF sickness among the new re-
cruits and the heavy rainfaIls that
time and again spoiled his welI-laid
plans. Much unjust criticism OF him
was directed at him at this time in the
Southern papers. Replying to a letter
from Mrs Lee ia which she directs his
attention to some OF the comments, he
said.
II am sorry as you say, that the
movements OF the armies cannot keep
pace with the expectations OF the edi-
tors OF papers. / know that they car
regulate matters satisfactorily % them
selves on paper. wish they could do
so ia the held. no one wishes them
more success than do and would be
happy 20 see them have full swing. /
hone something Win be done to please
them"
Son Enlisted as Private.
In the spring OF 1852 Captain Lee was
permitted by his father 20 volunteer. as
a private IN the Rockbridge Artillery.
It does not seem to have occurred 10
General Lee 90 think or giving his son
an ONCE, which he could readily have
done. None OF the family seemed 10 ex-
pect 81, but as the author says. IL is
worthy Of note that the son OF the com
handing general eniisting as a private
was not thought to be anything re.
markable or unusual He tells OF the
first time he met his father after thu
enlistment
''The day after the battle of Cold
Harb0r during the seven days' nght-
Ing around Richmond. was the first lime
met my father after / Joined General
Jackson. The tremendous work Stone
wallis men hsd performed, including the
rapid march from the Valley OF Vir-