"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 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 sword..." | by: | Robert E. Lee
(1807-1870) General-in-Chief of the Confederate States army |
Source: | letter to his sister, April 20, 1861 |
| |
