g the whole of that time--more than a quarter of a century--I
have experienced nothing but kindness from my superiors, and the
most cordial friendship from my comrades. To no one, general, have
I been as much indebted as to yourself for uniform kindness and
consideration, and it has always been my ardent desire to merit
your approbation. I shall carry to the grave the most grateful
recollections of your kind consideration, and your name and fame
will always be dear to me.

Save in defence of my native State, I never desire again to draw
my sword. Be pleased to accept my most earnest wishes for the
continuance of your happiness and prosperity, and believe me, most
truly yours,

R.E. LEE. LIEUTENANT-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT, _Commanding United
States Army_.

In this letter, full of dignity and grave courtesy, Lee vainly
attempts to hide the acute pain he felt at parting from his friend and
abandoning the old service. Another letter, written on the same day,
expresses the same sentiment of painful regret:

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, _April 20,1861_.

MY DEAR SISTER: I am grieved at my inability to see you ... I have
been waiting "for a more convenient season," which has brought to
many before me deep and lasting regret. Now we are in a state of
war which will yield to nothing. The whole South is in a state of
revolution, into which Virginia, after a long struggle, has been
drawn, and, _though I recognize no necessity for this state of
things_, and would have forborne and pleaded to the end for
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 to the Union, and the feeling
of loyalty and duty of an American citizen, I have not been able
to make up my mind to raise my hand against my 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 never be needed, I hope I
may never be called on to draw my sword.

I know you will blame me, but you must think as kindly of me as
you can, and believe that I have endeavored to do what I thought
right. To show you the feeling and struggle it has cost me, I send
a copy of my letter to General Scott, which accompanied my lette