...O terrible drums — so loud you bugles blow. Colonel Robert E. Lee, United States Army, April 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 services may never be needed, I hope I may never be called on to draw my...

...has been drawn, and though I recognize no necessity for this state of things, and would have foreborn and pleaded to the end for redress of grievances,...that my poor services will never be needed, I hope I never may be called on to draw my sword. I know you will blame me, but you must think as kindly of...

...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...have, therefore, resigned my commission in the army ; 450 451 and, save in defence of my native State, with the sincere hope that my poor services may...

...against my native state. With all my devotion to the Union, and the feeling of loyalty and duty as an American citizen, I have not been able to make...the army, and, save in defense of my native state, I hope I may never be called upon to draw my sword." He was quickly called upon to "defend his native...

...and duty of an American citizen, I have not been able to make up my mind to raise my hand against jny relatives, my children, my home. I have, therefore, resigned my commission in the army, and save in defence of my native State, with the sincere hope that my poor services may nsver be needed, I hope...