New-York tribune., 1904-10-04
GENERAL LEE
The Confederate Commander Por-
traged by His Son

n n~
the interesting OF the Southern feurss ~, t5
Civil War. The author does not attempt To ente-
the field Of the historian so tar as the var ftsalf
IS concerned and makes no addition OF value 10
the military side OF the subject ReIvipe for the
bulk Of mis- material upon his fathers letters Can
tain Robert E Lse lays stress upon the personal
aspect OF his theme The correspondence printed
serves. in measure. nevertheless to reflect Gen
erai Lees views on the questions in American
life to the solution of which he dedicated his
career. Writing freely 10 his family. he exposeg
his ideas with absolute candor. The devoutly re-
hgtous tone Of the man often comes out in his
letters.
General Lees biographer condenses into one
chapter the Period prior TO his fathers resigna-
ton from the United States Army and confines
himself to General Lees own utterances In letters
TO his family and friends to the rotyes which
actuated him in his decision Writing his sis-
ter Mrs Ann Marshall. on the day he rendered
his resignation, General Lee said:
Now we are in state os war which viii Yield
70 nothing, The whole South is In a state OF
revolution, into which Virginia, after long strug
Eecessity for this state Of things, and would have
grievances real or supposed Vet in nv own per-
son lad to meet the suestion whether shou d
devotion TO the Union and the feeling OF loyalty
able to make up my mind TO raise my hand against
my relatives. my children. my home. I have
ana save in defence OF nv native state with the
sincere hope that my poor services may never be
my sword
On the same day he wrote IN similar strain to
his brother. Captain Sydney Smith Lee OF the
United States Navy. In 1858 General Lee wrote to
Senator Reverdy Johnson regard 20 a debate in
the Senate in which Senator Simon Cameron had
made certain statements In this letter he said:
never intimated 10 any one that desired the
command Of the United States Army. did
Mr. Francis Preston Blair. on this subject which
was at his invitation and. as understood. at the
his remarks l declined the offer he made me. TO
take command OF the army that was TO be brOugh,
into the field stating as courteOuSly as I could
that, though opposed to secession and depFecating
Southern States.
General Lee adds that he went directly to Gen
eral Scott. told him OF the proposition that had
been made him. and two days later. concluding
that he ought no longer 70 retain his commission,
resigned from the army. On invitation OF the Gov
ernor OF Virginia he went 20 Richmond. found that
the convention had passed the secession ordinance
and accepted the position OF commander In chief of
the State forces There follow many letters writ
ten in the spring and summer OF 1851 20 his wife
Arlington. counselling her on family matters and
the homely duties OF his estate and household. On
May p he was transferred. with hts command. TO
the Confederate States Army. In letter he said:
Il do not know what my position will be- should
like 10 retire private life II could be with you
and the children. but II be Of any service to
the State or her cause I must continue" Soon
into West Virginia. and in numerous letters to
his family he interestingly describes the country
his soldiers and the difficulties he faced. These
letters continued with great regularity after
he was sent to South Carolina IN the winter OF
1871. Many OF them are deeply religious Writing
his wife on Christmas Day. he says: "If can
only become sensible Of our transgressions. 70
be fully pentent and forgiven, that this heavy pun
ishmeut under which we labor may with Justice be
removed from US and the whole nation. what a
a.
il will be- In the same letter he utters his fore
bodings for hts old home and says II u Is de-
stroyed he would like TO purchase Stratford con
the lower Potomac 1t IS a poor place. he adds.
but We could make enough corn bread and bacon
for our support. and the girls could weave us
clothes"
The author then student at the University OF
Virginia. describes the giving OF hts fathers
sent 10 his entrance into the army which he Joined
a private in the ROckbTidge Artillery II do
not suppose he says. 1t ever occurred 70 my
father think OF giving Office. which he
could easily have done. I know IT never occurred
me." On the day following the battle OF Seven
Pines General Lee assumed command of the Army
OF Northern Virginia. General Joseph E Johnston
having been severely wounded. The author tells
OF one amusing encounter with his father. II was
! at the second battle OF Manassas when all powder
grimed and ragged and with sponge stan IN hand.
he General Lee and star ride up and take
position near his battery. Young Lee spoke TO a
STAN Otncer ana tod him VINO ne was When Gen
eral Lee dropped his glass and turned TO his stan
the officer saId. General here is some one who
wants TO speak to you" The general. not recOg-
nizlng his son. said. Well my man, what can
do for your Captain Lee says that one marked
characteristic OF his father was his habit OF at
tending to all business promptly. He was never
Idle" ne says. and what he haG % do he per-
formed with care and precision"
The long series OF letters his wife and family
rarely more than few weeks eIapsing without
show not caly General Lees capacity for busi-
ness in the direction OF his private affairs and his
religious mind. but quaint humOr that here and
there brightens the generally sad and tender cor
Tespondence- IN the winter OF 1S2- S. when he was
in Camp Fredericksburg. re his daughter
Agnes: General Hooker Is obliged to do some
thing. l do not know what IL will be He IS play
ing the Chinese game. trying what frightening will
do He runs out his guns. starts his wagons and
troops up and down the river and creates an ex-
citement generally. Our men look In wonder.
give n cheer and all subsidies" A fortnight LATER
in letter 10 Mrs Lee, describing the cold and
discomfOrts OF his army. he says; II owe Mr.. F. J.
Hooker no thanks for keeping ne here" After
Charlottesville. when Jackson fell. he wrote TO
Mrs. Lee: Any victory would be dear at such a
price. know not how 10 replace him. Gods will
be done. l trust He will raise up some one IN his
p.,-e In nearly all of his private letters during
this period mention is made Of the hardships and
sunerngs Of his men. their lack OF Shoes clothing
al blankets. "One from these letters
says the autnOf now deeply ne telt FOR the SuffeF
ings OF his soldiers, and how hts plans were hin
dered by inadequate supplies of food and clothing
heard him constantly alude to his troubles: in
deed they seemed never absent from his mind
In the winter OF 1sS364 Mrs Lee and her daughters
removed TO Richmond and from Camp Rappahan-
mock he wrote her: Il fear my daughters have not
taken TO the spinning wheel and loom as / have
recommended. shall not be able to recommend
them 20 the brave soldiers for wives
In the spring OF 1854 Fftzhugh Lees brigade to
which the author, who had won commission and
STAFF appointment, was then attached lay in camp
near Charlottesville and the officers gave a ball An