citizen, 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 defence of my native State_, with the
hope that my poor services will never be needed, I hope I may never
be called on to draw my sword."

On the same day, in a letter to General Scott accompanying his
resignation, he says: "Save in defence of my State, I never desire
to draw my sword."

Lee registered himself, March 5, 1861, in the Adjutant-General's
office as Brevet-Colonel and Lieutenant-Colonel Second Cavalry.(16)
He was nominated, March 21, 1861, _by President Lincoln_, Colonel
First Cavalry, and on March 23d the nomination was confirmed by
the Senate. He was then commissioned by the President, Colonel,
March 25th, to rank from March 16, 1861; he received this commission
March 28th, and accepted it by letter March 30, 1861. Seven States
had then seceded from the Union, and the Confederate States of
America had existed since February 8, 1861.

Three weeks after (April 20th) Lee accepted this last commission
he tendered his resignation in the United States Army. It did not
reach the Secretary of War until April 24th, nor was it accepted
until April 27th, to take effect April 25, 1861.(17)

Lee, however, accepted, April 22nd, a commission as Major-General
in the "Military and Naval Forces of Virginia," assuming command
of them by direction of Governor John Letcher, April 23, 1861.

It thus appears that two months and a half after the Confederate
States were formed Robert E. Lee accepted President Lincoln's
commission in the U.S.A.; then twenty-four days later, and pending
the acceptance of his resignation, took command of forces hostile
to the Federal Union. He, April 24th, gave instructions to a
subordinate: "Let it be known that you intend no attack; but
invasion of our soil will be considered an act of war."

He did not have Longstreet's consolation of knowing his resignation
had been accepted before he abandoned his rank and duties in the
United States Army; nor had his State yet seceded from the Union.
Virginia did not enter into any relations with the Confederacy
until April 25, 1861, and then only conditionally. Her convention
passed an Ordinance of Secession April 17th, to take effect, if
ratified by the votes of her people, at an election to be held May
23, 1861. An election held in Virginia the previous February
re