MWR
The Road not Taken.
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April 20, 1861 - General Robert E. Lee resigns his commission with the United States Army. His love for his homestate of Virginia was greater than any in the union had counted on.
Prob not a good way of phrasing it, but this thread has caught my attention and making me do research lol. Love these Jtrain history threads
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Robert E. Lee's Resignation letter.
Arlington, Washington City P.O.
April 20, 1861
General:
Since my interview with you on the 18th instant I have felt that I ought not longer to retain my commission in the Army. I therefore tender my resignation, which I request you will recommend for acceptance.
It would have been presented at once, but for the struggle it has cost me to separate myself from a service to which I have devoted all the best years of my life & all the ability I possessed.
During the whole of that time, more than 30 years, I have experienced nothing but kindness from my superiors, & the most cordial friendship from my companions. To no one Genl have I been as much indebted as to yourself for uniform kindness & consideration, & it has always been my ardent desire to merit your approbation.
I shall carry with me to the grave the most grateful recollections of your kind consideration, & your name & fame will always be dear to me. Save in the defence of my native State, I never desire again to draw my sword.
Be pleased to accept my most earnest wishes for the continuance of your happiness & prosperity & believe me most truly yours
R. E. Lee
Robert E. Lee's Resignation letter.
Arlington, Washington City P.O.
April 20, 1861
General:
Since my interview with you on the 18th instant I have felt that I ought not longer to retain my commission in the Army. I therefore tender my resignation, which I request you will recommend for acceptance.
It would have been presented at once, but for the struggle it has cost me to separate myself from a service to which I have devoted all the best years of my life & all the ability I possessed.
During the whole of that time, more than 30 years, I have experienced nothing but kindness from my superiors, & the most cordial friendship from my companions. To no one Genl have I been as much indebted as to yourself for uniform kindness & consideration, & it has always been my ardent desire to merit your approbation.
I shall carry with me to the grave the most grateful recollections of your kind consideration, & your name & fame will always be dear to me. Save in the defence of my native State, I never desire again to draw my sword.
Be pleased to accept my most earnest wishes for the continuance of your happiness & prosperity & believe me most truly yours
R. E. Lee
Monday April 22 1861
Nobody wants to pay for a navy in peacetime. Now Norfolk Navy Yard in Virginia was lost; the railroads south were useless, those North were cut at Baltimore and Harpers Ferry. The Washington Navy Yard was essential. It was also running short of personnel. Today the commandant, Capt. Franklin Buchanan suffered a change of allegiance and went South. The Chief of Navy Ordnance, George Magruder, had a outbreak of pacifism and went to Canada for the duration. The entire yard was down to 150 men after the shuffling was done.
Apr 13, 1861
After a 33-hour bombardment by Confederate cannons, Union forces surrender Fort Sumter in South Carolina's Charleston Harbor. The first engagement of the war ended in Rebel victory.
The first engagement of the war was over, and the only casualty had been a Confederate horse. The Union force was allowed to leave for the north; before leaving, the soldiers fired a 100-gun salute. During the salute, one soldier was killed and another mortally wounded by a prematurely exploding cartridge. The Civil War had officially begun.
Florida ratifies the Confederate Constitution with a vote of 50 to 0.
The Clarksburg (present-day West Virginia) Convention calls for an anti-secessionist convention to be held in May, 1861.
Maryland Governor Thomas Holliday Hicks calls a session of the Maryland legislature to consider secession.
From the Daily Virginian: Recruits for the Cavalry We are requested to say that Mr. Paul G. Cabell will be at Nelson Courthouse this week, Mr E.D. Christian at Appomattox and Mr. Thomas Whitehead at Amherst Court House for the purpose of receiving recruits for Capt. Radfords Regiment of Cavalry. Let the patriotic people of these counties rally to the standard of their country and the defense of their homes.
Tuesday, April 23.
It is reported by arrivals from Baltimore at 6 oclock this morning, that martial law was proclaimed, and all the citizens ordered in their houses.
All the places of amusement, &c., have been closed.
A gentleman who arrived from Baltimore this evening, leaving there at 9 oclock this morning, states that when he left, the report was current in the hotels that news had reached there, via Annapolis, that Fort Pickens was captured with serious loss of life. It is only given as a rumor. He also says that Baltimore had been put under regular militia law when he left. Although strong guards were on duty, the city is quiet.
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Wednesday, April 24.
A gentleman has arrived in this city who left Annapolis yesterday. He heard a report there that a negro insurrection had occurred in Anne Arundel Couuty. Gen. BUTLER, of Massachusetts, offered the services of the Eighth (Mass.) Regiment to subdue the insurrection.
Major AMES, of Massachusetts, had left.
The Seventh Regiment of New-York, under Col. LEFFERTS, were at Annapolis on Tuesday afternoon.
Gen. BUTLER was taking measures to have the rails relaid on the Annapolis Road. They had been carefully taken up by the Railroad Company.
No difficulty was apprehended in again opening the road to Washington
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Thursday April 25, 1861 - in a daring nighttime operation Illinois troops steam from Alton to St. Louis and remove 10,000 muskets with the help of federal troops in the armory
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