Recollections and Letters of General Robert E. Lee

Now we are in a state of war, which will yield to nothing. The whole South is in a state of revolution...and though I recognize no necessity for this state of things, and would have forborne and pleaded to the end for redress of grievances, real or supposed... I had to meet the question whether I should take part against my native state. With all my devotion to the Union and the feeling of loyalty and duty of an American 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 defense of my native state, with the sincere hope that my poor services may never be needed, I hope I may never be called on to draw my sword.