And in April that
dissolution came.
Nor did the fortunes of the War itself swerve him from the belief that
in serving his State, he was doing his highest duty. After it was over
and he had gone into the retirement of work in Washington College, we
find him writing to General Beauregard as follows:
"I need not tell you that true patriotism sometimes requires men to act
exactly contrary at one period to that which it does at another--and
the motive which impels them--the desire to do right--is precisely the
same. History is full of illustrations of this. Washington himself is
an example." (Here he invokes the example that had been his guiding
star since early boyhood.) "He fought at one time against the French
under Braddock, in the service of the King of Great Britain. At
another he fought with the French at Yorktown, under the orders of the
Continental Congress, against him. He has not been branded by the
world with reproach for this; but his course has been applauded."
While Lee was wrestling with his momentous decision, a further
temptation was placed in his path, which he thrust aside. He was
offered the high post of commander-in-chief of the Union forces. This
offer came at a suggestion from Scott that "Colonel Lee would be worth
fifty thousand troops to our side"; and although Lincoln had never met
him, he was glad to accede to the suggestion.
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