Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04429

Author/Creator: Lee, Robert E. (1807-1870)

Place Written: Virginia

Type: Autograph manuscript

Date: circa 14 May 1864

Pagination: 4 p. : envelope ; 10.2 x 20.2 cm

Summary of Content: First draft of an address to the troops of the Army of Northern Virginia, written on the verso of (a clerical) telegram to Lee from General John D. Imboden at Sharpsburg. In an effort to rally morale, Lee recounts recent Confederate victories, reminds the men of the cause for which they have taken up arms and the gravity of the current situation, calls upon the memory of fallen comrades, and invokes God’s blessing for their cause. Imboden’s telegram relays news about engagements in the Shenandoah Valley, including Imboden’s stop of General Franz Sigel’s advance, which Lee mentions in his address. Written in pencil and showing many edits.

People: Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870., Imboden, John Daniel, 1823-1895., Sigel, Franz, 1824-1902.

Historical Era: Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861-1877

Full Transcript: The Commandg Gen [struck: is gratified] takes great pleasure in announcing to the Army the series of successes which by the blessing of God, have recently been achieved by our Arms. A part of the enemy’s force [struck: that was] threatening the [Country?] of Virginia [struck: has been intercepted and] [inserted: has been] [illegible] by Gen Imboden’s [struck: command, with the loss of its] and driven [struck: into Maryland] [inserted: back by the Potomac], with the loss of their wagon train and a number of prisoners., Another body of the enemy under Gen Averill penetrated to the Va and Tennessee Rail Road at Dublin’s Depot, A portion of this force has been [struck: dispersed] [inserted: defeated] by Genl [inserted: Morgan &] WE Jones, [struck: who when and] [inserted: who are in pursuit of] the remainder [struck: is slowly retreating before them], The [struck: Two] Army of Gen Banks which invaded western La, [struck: has] sustained a severe defeat at the hands of Gen Kirby Smith, and retreated to Alexandria with the loss of several thousand prisoners, [2] thirty five pieces of artillery and a large number of wagons. [struck: Several] & some of the most formidable gunboats that accompanied the expedition [struck: have] and many transports have been destroyed by the enemy to [struck: present] [inserted: save] them from [struck: further] Capture, and [struck: our forces are reported in] Northern papers. I [struck: have] report that our troops have interrupted the navigation of Red River below Alexandria, [struck: thereby undergoing the saf safety of the remainder of the Army of Gen Banks]., The expedition of Gen Steele into Western Arkansas has been driven back by Gen Price who captured [inserted: with the loss of his] all [struck: the enemy’s] [inserted: his] wagons and artillery. [struck: A remnant But], Only a small part of Gen Steele’s army has succeeded in reaching Little Rock., The cavalry force sent by Gen Grant to attack Richmond has been repulsed and retreated towards [struck: York R] the Peninsula and every demonstration of the enemy south of James River [inserted: so far] successfully repelled., [3] The [inserted: heroic] valor [struck: and] of this Army, under the blessing of Almighty God has thus far [struck: off] checked the progress of the principal Army of the enemy towards Richmond, and inflicted [inserted: upon it] heavy loss [struck: upon it. The eyes of] Your country [struck: where our home] looks to you in your [struck: noble] gallant struggle with confidence and hope. Encouraged by the successes that have been vouchsafed to us, stimulated by the great interests that depend upon the issue, and sustained by the prayers of [struck: the dear ones] [inserted: those] in whose defence you fight, let every man resolve to put forth his utmost efforts, to endure all and brave all, until by the assistance of a just and merciful God [struck: a as success shall crown] the enemy shall be driven back and [struck: a speedy] peace [struck: be] secured to our country., [struck: Some of our bravist [sic] officers & men Many of your brave comrades] have fallen, [struck: but they have left the [inserted: durable] example of their glorious sacrifice to], [4] Some of our bravest officers and men have fallen, [struck: let their ex] but their [inserted: surviving] comrades not less brave will emulate their glorious examples, and Continue to emulate the valor of your brave comrades who have fallen [illegible phrase] that it [struck: rests with the] [inserted: depends on] you to see that they [struck: shall not] [inserted: shall not] have died in vain. With the blessing of God, it is in your power to defeat the last great effort of the enemy, secure [struck: safety and] independence to your native land, and earn for yourselves the [inserted: lasting] love and gratitude of your country men and the admiration of [struck: the world] [inserted: mankind.] [struck: Let your effects be worthy of], , [envelope], Sharpsburg, letter 18 Sept., & other valuable, papers,, [strikeout],, Bristerd Station, Telegrams of, Bragg Beauregard, at Petersburg, Letter of Hampton, May 18/63

Keywords/Subjects: Religion, Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg)

Sub Era: The American Civil War

Background: Lee’s message was not well received in the North, where the New York Times printed an editorial on May 23, 1864 blasting Lee for lying about the progress of the war. While the draft in the Gilder Lehrman Collection is undated, the New York Times article states that the address was issued on May 14, 1864., http://www.nytimes.com/1864/05/23/news/the-chivalry-of-the-rebel-gen-lee.html

LOC Search Terms: Spotsylvania Court House, Battle of, Va., 1864., Speeches, addresses, etc.

Resource: Robert E. Lee’s message to his troops before the Battle of Spotsylvania, 1864