The Washington herald., 1915-02-14
LEES ARMY DESPERATE FOR
WANT OF FOOD.
February 8, 1865.


Fifty years ago today Gen. Lee
warned the Confederate government of
impending disaster to his army unless
It could quickly be supplied with food.
communication from Gen. Lee to
the Confederate Secretary of War re-
vealing the desperate straits of his
army was a direct consequence of
Grants movement against Lees right
At Hatchers Run.
This movement had resulted in
Grant extending his left to point
which threatened to envelop Lees
lines before Petersburg. The move
ment had begun on February and
ended on the evening of February I
with the intrenchment of strong
Federal force at HatChers Run.
Although the Federals had not
gained all they sought, the effect of
their advance upon the enemy was
far greater than they supposed at the
time Its extent is revealed in Gen.
Lees letter written on February S.
On the day before, Gen. Lee stated,
the most inclement day of the winter.
his men had been retained in line of
battle all day. having been in the
same condition the two previous days
and nights"
No Meat for Three Days.
4 regret to be obliged to state he
wrote, that under these circum-
stances, heightened by assaults and
fire of the enemy, some of the men
have been without meat for three
days, and all were suffering from re-
duced rations and scant clothing, eX
posed to battle, cold. hail and sleet."
Stating that he had sent his chief
commissary to Richmond to see if
something can be DONE" Gen. Lee
added: IF some change is not made
and the comm Ssary department reor-
Eanized, ! apprehend dire results. The
physical strength of the men, il their
courage survives, must fall under this
treatment Our cavalry has to be dis
persed for want of forage"
Gen. Lee added that Gen. Fitz Lees
and Gen LomaXs divisions of cavalry
had been scattered because supplies
could not be transported to points
where their services were required;
and that he was obliged to bring Gen.
w. H. F. Lees division forty miles on
the night of February I to get it into
position in front of the Federal left.
Summing up these unfavorable con-
ditions, Gen Lee said:
Taking these facts in connection
with the paucity of our numbers you
must not be surprised if calamity be-
falls US"
Lee at that time had less than $4,000
Hitl ullutI
Pardon for Deserters.
While thus revealing to his govern
ment the desperate straits of his army
Lee was endeavorng by every means
in his power to prevent the disinte-
grafton of his forces through deser-
lions
Men were deserting in such large
numbers that he feared his effective
fighting force would slip away from
him before spring brought weather
suitable for reopening the campaign.
SO serious had the evil of desertion
become that on February II Gen. Lee
was constrained to issue an order an
nOunCinG pardon to all deserters and
men improperly absent from their
commands" who would report within
twenty days to headquarters. Those
who had deserted TO the enemy were
not included in this amnesty. They,
however, were a minority. Large
numbers of Lees men, convinced that
the war was near its end, had de-
serted to return to their homes.
In order to inspire his men to fur
ther resistance, Lee addressed them in
tones that concealed the concern for
his army's future which he had ex-
pressed to the Confederate govern
ment. He exhorted them to fight fur
ther. and not to consider submission.
Urged to Fight On.
In entering upon the campaign
about to Oren. the general-in-chief
feels assured that the soldiers who
have so long and so nobIy borne the
hardships and dangers OF the war re-
quire no exhortation to respond to the
calls OF honor and duty.
with the liberty transmitted by
their forefathers they have inherited
the spirit to defend II.
The choice between war and alb
jeCt submission is before them.
To such proposal brave men. with
arms in their hands, can have but one
answer.
They cannot barter manhood for
peace, nor the rights OF self-govern-
ment for life or property"
The whole theory of States rights
on which the South waged the war
was embraced in these words. None
knew heUter than Lee that the cause
was lost, yet he sought to inspire his
men to the last with reiteration of
the principles on which had begun |
their struggle against the Union.
In closing his eXhortation to his |
men and offer of pardon to deserters, |
Lee wrote: |
The advantage OF the enemy will |
have but little value il we do not per-
nit them to impair our resolution. !
Let us then oppose constancy to ad- |
versity, fortitude to suffering, and |
courage to danger. with the firm as
surance that he who gave freedom to |
our fathers will bless the efforts of
their children to preserve it"