My very first novel was set before and during the Civil War in Georgia. (Yes, I was and remain an unabashed Gone With the Wind fan.) When I downsized my home and office four years ago, I had to get rid of about 1000 research books, and since I was certain I would never write another Civil War book, my collection of those books went elsewhere. As circumstances would have it, I find myself currently writing another novel set during the Civil War (although the setting is in the gold camps of Idaho rather than in the midst of the conflict). Wouldn’t you know?
This month marks the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War (officially it began on 4/12/1861), and I’m reading HISTORY™ posts on “this day in history” of the Civil War. I thought I would share some of the information with readers when I see something I deem worth sharing or just because I want to since it’s my blog. {{grin}}
April 20, 1861
Colonel Robert E. Lee today resigned from the United States Army, just two days after being offered command of the Union Army and only three days after his native state, Virginia, seceded from the Union.
“I have the honor to tender the resignation of my Commission of Colonel of the 1st Regt. Of Cavalry,” Lee wrote in a one-sentence letter to Secretary of War Simon Cameron. “Very respectfully your Ob’t servant,” Lee signed the letter.
In a letter to his former commander that revealed the depths of his inner turmoil regarding the decision, Lee closed with this:
“Save in the defense of my native state shall I ever again draw my sword. Be pleased to accept my most earnest wishes for the continuance of your happiness & prosperity & believe me most truly yours.”
Let me tell you, after much research, I came to admire not only Abraham Lincoln (my favorite president) but also Robert E. Lee. If I could time travel, I would want to sit down with both of these men and talk for hours.
~robin
