Ok i have a report and this guy wrote a letter to his sister while in the civil war what does the letter mean?
My beloved sister,
“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, and 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…….
2007-04-10 05:58:32 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
This guy?
"This guy" is Robert E. Lee, who became commanding general of the Army of Northern Virginia.
His letter is the crux of the internal struggle felt by every member of the US Army who chose to "resign" his commission (in which he swore to support and defend the United States). He stayed true to his state.
Contrast him with General George H. Thomas, also a Virginian and also a West Pointer, who was true to his oath of office and stayed to fight with the Union.
2007-04-10 06:12:26 · answer #1 · answered by ? 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
This gentlemen was obviously an officer in the Union Army who hailed from the south and quite possibly had relatives who he feared fighting on the Confederate side. He resigned his commission so he would not be faced with the dilemma of defending his country or killing his own family.
2007-04-10 13:05:00 · answer #2 · answered by aristotle1776 4 · 5⤊ 1⤋
This was the very reason Robert E. Lee turned down Abraham Lincoln's appointment as General of the Union Army. Lee was from Virginia and knew if there was a war, he would have to fight his own State, where all his relatives and life were. He turned down the appointment, and elected to fight for his home (Virginia).
2007-04-10 13:12:15 · answer #3 · answered by SnowWebster2 5 · 6⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion, it means that he had family members on both the Union and Confederate sides, and that as a member of the Union Army, he was afraid he would wind up fighting a friend or family member, which he was unwilling to do.
Therefore, he resigned from the Union Army, and just defended his state as needed (but hoped he would never be called to action).
2007-04-10 13:05:16 · answer #4 · answered by ItsJustMe 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
During the civil war there was such a rift in the country that in a family of 4 2 may be pro-north and 2 may be pro-south etc, and family members were fighting and killing their family. This man says that despite the cause he believes in, he cannot raise a weapon and kill his own blood.
2007-04-10 13:03:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
if you were paying attention in class you would know this ...its easy just read the letter again. don't expect other people to do your home work for you. also I love the letter, what a beautiful piece of history. have your friend cherish this letter and it should be in a museum for everyone to see and read
2007-04-10 15:18:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
That was probably written during the american civil war era. It's pretty self explanitory, he doesn't want to fight his own country so he resigned, hoping he will never have to be part of such a thing.
2007-04-10 13:14:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
he loves his country so much that he with fight for it, however does not want to fight his own people, the Americans.
he will do what he must but does not wish to.
he has an inner conflict of loyalty to his country and the people
so he will fight in his states defense, but hopes that he wont have to
2007-04-10 13:04:47 · answer #8 · answered by crojon 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
He is basically saying that he is quitting the Union Army because he doesn't want to have to fight his fellow Americans, the Confederates.
2007-04-10 13:13:26 · answer #9 · answered by RcknRllr 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
He chose family over country.
He is a liberal terrorist appeaser.
Only unpatriotic Leftists choose one thing over their government's wishes.
No, I'm only kidding. He says he'll defend his home and family, but that is all he will defend.
Sean Hannity says he should be shot, placed in Club Gitmo, shot again, tortured, shot, hanged, shot, tortured until he confesses what he's supposed to confess, shot, then killed.
Wouldn't it be a great "24" episode if the hero, Jack Bauer, could go back in time, and torture people from the past?
Maybe torture some of the people in the Bible, to see what they know about terrorist cells operating in Bethlehem.
I'll tell you what, if "24" wasn't so real, I'd swear it was fiction.
2007-04-10 13:10:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋