...redress of grievances, real or supposed, yet in my own person I had to meet the question whether I should take part against my native State. With all my devotion...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 upon to draw...

...redress of grievances, real or supposed, yet in my own person I had to meet the question whether I should take part against my native State. With all my devotion...therefore, resigned my commission in the army and save in defence of my native State, with the 1 The reference is to President Buchanan's message to Congress...

...of grievances, real or supposed, yet in my own person I had to me,et the question whether I should take part against my native state. With all my devotion...therefore, resigned my commission in the army and save in defence of my native State, with the sincere hope that my poor services may not be needed, I hope I...

...state. With all my devotion to the Union, and the feeling of loyalty and duty of an American citizen, / have not been able to make up my mind to raise my...have therefore resigned my commission in the army." f To his official resignation, dated April 20, 1861, Colonel Lee added the following personal note...

...the Confederate Army. In a letter written to his sister on April 20, 1861, he makes this statement: "With all my devotion to the Union and the feeling...therefore resigned my commission in the Army and, save in the defense of my native state, ... I hope I may never be called upon to draw my sword." Written assignment....

...Letters of Lee, pp. 132, 133. 263 yet in my own person I had to meet the question whether I should take part against my native State. With all my devotion...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...

...should take part against my native state. With all my devotion to the Union, and the feeling of Joyalty and duty of an American citizen, I have not been able...the army; and, save in defense of my native state, I hope I may never be called upon to draw my sword." Two days before he had been unreservedly tendered,...

...decision many southerners made that fateful spring. Robert E. Lee wrote his sister on April 10, 1861: "With all my devotion to the Union and the feeling...Army, and save in defense of my native State, with the sincere hope that my poor service may never be needed, I hope I may never be called on to draw my sword."...

...from a service to which I have devoted all the best years of my life [resigning from the US Army]. With all my devotion to the Union and the feeling...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 upon to draw...

...necessity for this state of things, . . . yet in my own person I had to raise the question whether I should take part against my native state. With all my devotion...have, therefore, resigned my commission in the Army "ll ampton County, Virginia, for "military skill, bravery, and noble deportment" during the Mexican...