Benjamnin F. Butler, Butler's Book: Autobiography and Personal Reminiscences of Major-General Benjamin Butler

[880] people, tendered his resignation of command of the Army of Northern Virginia to Davis, in a private note, recommending that some younger man than himself should be appointed in his stead to be the leader of that army. While Davis undoubtedly — because his views of conducting the army in the field frequently varied from Lee's — would have been glad to accept that resignation, yet he declined to do it.

Lee's social position in Virginia, his family connections, and the love and respect of the people, were all so strong that Davis felt that Lee's resignation accepted would be nearly a death-blow to the Confederacy. Accordingly he returned for answer that the loss of Gettysburg was only one of the accidents of war; that he saw no occasion for reproach of General Lee, and he begged him to withdraw his resignation. This Lee did, and continued his leadership.

In September, 1863, however, Davis desired Lee to take command of the Western army, and said in effect that his command there would be better than reinforcements by a corps. But Lee was by no means willing to be buried in the West, and Davis, in order to make Lee's position agreeable in the Army of Northern Virginia, sent Longstreet and his corps there instead.

Lee's resignation and what depended thereon was kept a profound secret. It was hardly known to any one, certainly not until long afterwards. When it did come out, however, that Lee had tendered his resignation, recommending a younger officer for the command of the Army of Northern Virginia in his place, there was great curiosity and inquiry as to who that general was.

Of the fact that some younger general was recommended by Lee at the time of the resignation, I have undoubted authority, and if anybody questions it I can make that authority known at any time.

It has come out, however, that Gen. William Mahone was the man recommended by Lee, and the statement is from Lee's own mouth. Since Mahone's change of politics in Virginia it has been most stoutly contradicted. It is but just to Mahone to say that at the time, he was ignorant both of Lee's resignation and of his recommendation.

I present here a fac-simile letter of a gentleman of the highest standing in Virginia which tells the story in such words and with such directness that nobody will have any doubt of the fact. But it