登陆注册
15456700000052

第52章 Chapter IX A Private Citizen(1)

Lee's conception of the part--His influence exerted toward the restoration of Virginia--He visits old friends throughout the country--Receives offers of positions--Compares notes with the Union General Hunter--Longs for a country home--Finds one at "Derwent," near Cartersville My father remained quietly in Richmond with my mother and sisters.

He was now a private citizen for the first time in his life. As he had always been a good soldier, so now he became a good citizen. My father's advice to all his old officers and men was to submit to the authority of the land and to stay at home, now that their native States needed them more than ever. His advice and example had great influence with all. In a letter to Colonel Walter Taylor [his old A. A. G.], he speaks on this point:

"...I am sorry to hear that our returned soldiers cannot obtain employment. Tell them they must all set to work, and if they cannot do what they prefer, do what they can. Virginia wants all their aid, all their support, and the presence of all her sons to sustain and recuperate her. They must therefore put themselves in a position to take part in her government, and not be deterred by obstacles in their way. There is much to be done which they only can do...."

And in a letter, a month later, to an officer asking his opinion about a decree of the Emperor of Mexico encouraging the emigration from the South to that country:

"...I do not know how far their emigration to another land will conduce to their prosperity. Although prospects may not now be cheering, I have entertained the opinion that, unless prevented by circumstances or necessity, it would be better for them and the country if they remained at their homes and shared the fate of their respective States...."

Again, in a letter to Governor Letcher [the "War Governor" of Virginia]:

"...The duty of its citizens, then, appears to me too plain to admit of doubt. All should unite in honest efforts to obliterate the effects of the war and to restore the blessing of peace. They should remain, if possible, in the country; promote harmony and good feeling, qualify themselves to vote and elect to the State and general legislatures wise and patriotic men, who will devote their abilities to the interests of the country and the healing of all dissensions. I have invariably recommended this course since the cessation of hostilities, and have endeavoured to practise it myself...."

Also in a letter of still later date, to Captain Josiah Tatnall, of the Confederate States Navy, he thus emphasises the same sentiment:

"...I believe it to be the duty of every one to unite in the restoration of the country and the reestablishment of peace and harmony. These considerations governed be in the counsels I gave to others, and induced me on the 13th of June to make application to be included in the terms of the amnesty proclamation...."

These letters and many more show plainly his conception of what was right for all to do at this time. I have heard him repeatedly give similar advice to relatives and friends and to strangers who sought it. The following letters to General Grant and to President Johnson show how he gave to the people of the South an example of quiet submission to the government of the country:

"Richmond, Virginia, June 13, 1865.

"Lieutenant-General U. S. Grant, Commanding the "Armies of the United States.

"General: Upon reading the President's proclamation of the 29th ult., I came to Richmond to ascertain what was proper or required of me to do, when I learned that, with others, the was to be indicted for treason by the grand jury at Norfolk. I had supposed that the officers and men of the Army of Northern Virginia were, by the terms of their surrender, protected by the United States Government from molestation so long as they conformed to its conditions. I am ready to meet any charges that may be preferred against me, and do not wish to avoid trail; but, if I am correct as to the protection granted by my parole, and am not to be prosecuted, I desire to comply with the provision of the President's proclamation, and, therefore, inclose the required application, which I request, in that event, may be acted on. I am with great respect, "Your obedient servant, R. E. Lee."

"Richmond, Virginia, June 13, 1865.

"His Excellency Andrew Johnson, President of the United States.

"Sir: Being excluded from the provisions of the amnesty and pardon contained in the proclamation of the 29th ult., I hereby apply for the benefits and full restoration of all rights as privileges extended to those included in its terms. I graduated at the Military Academy at West Point in June, 1829; resigned from the United States Army, April, 1861; was a general in the Confederate Army, and included in the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, April 9, 1865. I have the honour to be, very respectfully, "Your obedient servant, R. E. Lee."

Of this latter letter, my brother, Custis Lee, writes me:

"When General Lee requested me to make a copy of this letter, he remarked it was but right for him to set an example of making a formal submission to the civil authorities, and that he thought, by do doing, he might possibly be in a better position to be of use to the Confederates who were not protected by military paroles, especially Mr. Davis"

Colonel Charles Marshall [a grandson of Chief Justice Marshall, and Lee's military secretary] says:

"...He (General Lee) set to work to use his great influence to reconcile the people of the South to the hard consequences of their defeat, to inspire them with hope, to lead them to accept, freely and frankly, the government that had been established by the result of the war, and thus relieve them from the military rule.... The advice and example of General Lee did more to incline the scale in favour of a frank and manly adoption of that course of conduct which tended to the restoration of peace and harmony than all the Federal garrisons in all the military districts."

同类推荐
  • 寓意草

    寓意草

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • The Darrow Enigma

    The Darrow Enigma

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 无相思尘论

    无相思尘论

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 远山堂曲品

    远山堂曲品

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 阿育王传

    阿育王传

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
热门推荐
  • 灵之通神

    灵之通神

    灵界之内,广阔无垠,修士难以横渡。世间万物皆有灵,吞吐日月精华而成精,吸收天地灵气而得道,称为妖灵。凡人无数,修者亿万计,王朝统御之地,横贯方圆百万里,各大宗门,名门,府邸,流派,世家林立,百道争鸣。有灵术修行者,攻击力恐怖强大,穿金裂石,开江辟流,高深境界者,移山倒海,担山赶月,威震一方,乃是绝世强者。大神通者,神秘莫测,翻手为云覆手为雨,拥有种种不可思议之威能。这是一处热血的世界,然而......
  • 浊麟十二界

    浊麟十二界

    四年的真情却被她推下山崖。她本是天真可爱,却时时寒气逼人。对人是警惕万分,以为怕,怕自己再次被背叛。她说:“真心待我之人,我便会以真心相待。愿意信任我之人,我便信任与他。”她说:“我的人可没一个不会不成为世界巅峰!”他说:“不就是个小女娃吗,我还真不信了我玩不过她!”一道道的符文到底封印着她多少的秘密,多少故事。组势力,刷等级,收兽兽,炼丹炼器,外加调戏美男子,强者为尊的世界竟然让她过得悠哉游哉。
  • 请好好活着

    请好好活着

    李沫李茂是两位少年英雄,他们同时喜欢上了当朝的永乐公主,但永乐公主眼里只有李茂,可造化弄人,李沫和公主最后走到了一起,这中间到底发生了什么?
  • 源宇帝尊

    源宇帝尊

    张凌霄,身份:银河系蓝星帝国皇帝,源宇宙创始者,性格:多情而不滥情,逍遥自在·····升级之路:精神空间--精神世界--半物质位面--物质位面(小世界)--小千世界--中千世界--大千世界预知后面为何请看正文···
  • 盛世宠妻: 追爱男神100次

    盛世宠妻: 追爱男神100次

    从初中到大学毕业,她向他表白了九十九次,可是每一次得到的都是残忍拒绝。“萧美辰,我不喜欢你!”“你不是长得漂亮么?不是有很多人追么?能不能不要再来烦我了!”“我告诉你,不管我喜欢的人是谁,反正都不是你!”拒绝之后,却又是一次又一次地暧昧不清,纠缠不断,让她于无形间沉沦,放纵……“厉泽涛,我不爱了,真的不爱了。”就在她表白第一百次失败之后,她终于放弃了,可是为什么她即将和另一个男人携手走进婚姻殿堂时,他却又突然出现,眉目如画,声音清冷地说:“萧美辰,别逼我出手夺走你的自由!”
  • 大明星的捣蛋鬼

    大明星的捣蛋鬼

    《搞笑系列》一位不为人知的富家私生子,在经历了家变的人生后,他的内心充满了强烈的怨恨和势要复仇的心。在他遇到因武术比赛出事变成了生魂的女主,他黑白的人生开始有了其他的颜色。经常附身在猫的身上的调皮女主,帮助了他实现了梦想和解开了困扰他多年的心结。。。。。
  • 望江山,十里红妆

    望江山,十里红妆

    她曾因为他身不由己的穿上这一身仕服,掩去女儿身,如今亦是因为他褪去这一身仕服,做回了女儿身。前半生,我为苍生而活,如今终于为自己,做回了真正的陆离。只是,女儿,陆离。(本文纯属虚构,请勿模仿。)
  • 我的历练日记

    我的历练日记

    我的历练经历!!您要是相信它就是本日记,要是不信它就是本小说。
  • 唐谋天下

    唐谋天下

    九转十世,投胎到皇家。命运给了他一个尊贵无比的太子身份,也给了他一个残酷无情的生活环境!那就是他不得不面对的坑爹现实:他爹是李治,他娘叫武媚。
  • 火澜

    火澜

    当一个现代杀手之王穿越到这个世界。是隐匿,还是崛起。一场血雨腥风的传奇被她改写。一条无上的强者之路被她踏破。修斗气,炼元丹,收兽宠,化神器,大闹皇宫,炸毁学院,打死院长,秒杀狗男女,震惊大陆。无止尽的契约能力,上古神兽,千年魔兽,纷纷前来抱大腿,惊傻世人。她说:在我眼里没有好坏之分,只有强弱之分,只要你能打败我,这世间所有都是你的,打不败我,就从这世间永远消失。她狂,她傲,她的目标只有一个,就是凌驾这世间一切之上。三国皇帝,魔界妖王,冥界之主,仙界至尊。到底谁才是陪着她走到最后的那个?他说:上天入地,我会陪着你,你活着,有我,你死,也一定有我。本文一对一,男强女强,强强联手,不喜勿入。