Letter from Robert E. Lee to Simon Cameron in which Lee Resigned from the U.S. Army
4/20/1861
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When offered leadership of the U.S. Army on the eve of the Civil War, Robert E. Lee refused, citing loyalty to his home state of Virginia. In this letter to Secretary of War Simon Cameron, Lee resigned from the U.S. Army.
On April 18, 1861, the day after Virginia voted for secession, President Lincoln sent an unofficial representative, Francis P. Blair, Sr., to ask Robert E. Lee to take command of the United States Army. At this meeting, Lee spoke of his devotion to the Union and then asked to speak to fellow Virginian Winfield Scott. Lee told Scott that he would resign. The old Mexican War hero replied, “Lee you have made the greatest mistake of your life.”
In a letter to his sister, Anne Marshall, Lee explained, “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 never be needed, I hope I may never be called on to draw my sword.”
On April 18, 1861, the day after Virginia voted for secession, President Lincoln sent an unofficial representative, Francis P. Blair, Sr., to ask Robert E. Lee to take command of the United States Army. At this meeting, Lee spoke of his devotion to the Union and then asked to speak to fellow Virginian Winfield Scott. Lee told Scott that he would resign. The old Mexican War hero replied, “Lee you have made the greatest mistake of your life.”
In a letter to his sister, Anne Marshall, Lee explained, “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 never be needed, I hope I may never be called on to draw my sword.”
Transcript
Arlington, Washington City, P.O.20 April 1861
Honble Simon Cameron
Sect of War
Sir
I have the honour to tender the resignation of my Commission as Colonel of the 1st Regt of Cavalry
Very respt your ob Servt
R E Lee
Col 1st Cavy
This primary source comes from the Records of the Adjutant General's Office.
National Archives Identifier: 300372
Full Citation: Letter from Robert E. Lee to Simon Cameron, Secretary of War, in which Lee Resigned from the U.S. Army; 4/20/1861; Letters Received, 1805 - 1889; Records of the Adjutant General's Office, Record Group 94; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/lee-resignation-us-army, October 1, 2023]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
