War History

Excerpt from War History
In compliance with the request of the R. E. Lee Camp of Confederate Veterans, I give my personal recollection as to two matters which have recently engaged, to some extent, the public attention.
First. It has been asserted that General Lee, a short time before the collapse of the Confederacy, advised the Confederate authorities that further resistance was useless, and that he recommended a cessation of hostilities upon the best terms that could be obtained. I am satisfied, from my own personal knowledge, that this is a mistake.
A few days before the final adjournment of the Confederate Congress, on the 18th of March, 1865, I received a message from President Davis through Colonel Lubbock, a member of his staff, that he desired to see me on important business at his office. I responded at once, and upon ray arrival I found Mr. Davis and General Lee in consultation. After an exchange of salutations, Mr. Davis said he had sent for me to request my opinion as to the willingness of the people of Virginia to submit to further demands upon them for supplies of food and clothing, which were absolutely necessary to maintain the army in the field.
After some general conversation, in which General Lee said but little, I replied to the inquiry of the President by saying that, while I believed the people of Virginia were prepared to make still further sacrifices in support of the cause they held so dear, I preferred that the other Representatives from Virginia should be consulted, and suggested that they should be invited to the conference.
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