resident:

"Human power cannot efface the past. Congress may vacate my
commission and reduce me to the ranks. It cannot make it true
that I was not a general before July 4, 1861.

"The effect of the course pursued is this:

"It transforms me from the position first in rank to that of fourth.
The relative rank of the others among themselves (Cooper, Albert
Sidney Johnston and Robert E. Lee) is unaltered. It is plain that
this is a blow aimed at me only. It reduces my rank in the grade
I hold. This has never been done heretofore in the regular service
in America but by the sentence of a court-martial as a punishment
and as a disgrace for some military offense.

"It seeks to tarnish my fair name as a soldier and as a man, earned
by more than thirty years of laborious and perilous service. I have
but this--the scars of many wounds all honestly taken in my front
and in the front of battle, and my father's revolutionary sword.
It was delivered to me from his venerable hand without stain of
dishonor. Its blade is still unblemished as when it passed from his
hand to mine. I drew it in the war not for rank or fame (sic!), but
to defend the sacred soil, the homes and hearths, the women and
children, aye, and the men of my mother, Virginia--my native South.
It may hereafter be the sword of a general leading armies, or of a
private volunteer. But while I live and have an arm to wield it, it
shall never be sheathed until the freedom, independence, and full
rights of the South are achieved. When that is done, it then will
be a matter of small concern to the Government, to Congress, or to
the Country, what my rank or lot may be.

"What has the aspect of a studied indignity is offered me. My noble
associate with me in the battle has his preferment connected with the
victory won by our common trials and dangers. His commission bears
the date of July 21, 1861, but care seems to be taken to exclude the
idea that I had any part in winning that triumph.

"My commission is made to bear such a date that my once inferiors
in the service of the United States and of the Confederate States
(Cooper, Albert Sidney Johnston and Robert E. Lee) shall be above me.
But it must not be dated as of July 21, nor be suggestive of the
victory of Manassas!

"If the action against which I have protested is