Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 16.djvu/234

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228 Southern Historical Society Papers.

he groaned heavily when he heard it. In three days he was a corpse. We were then removed to New York, where we received the most considerate attention. Here I made the acquaintance of many excel- lent ladies and gentlemen from the Southern States. My health improved slowly and, as I was young at the time, I have EO far out- grown the misfortune as to feel no inconvenience from it. My regret is that thousands were less fortunate. It may not be inappropriate to speak a word of the friends of our soldiers in New York. They have been known to perform much in the face of contumelious detrac- tion worthy of historic note. I left New York impressed with the idea that the heroism of the soldier is not the highest attribute of the man. True, they were among our enemies, but from this very cir- cumstance they were enabled to render us most important services. This they did with an enthusiasm truly Spartan. Never shall I forget them, and I am proud to know that this sentiment is reciprocated by thousands who have shared in their kindnesses, and left for their homes wondering at a nobility of nature, which increases the esti- mate of mankind, and an identity of hope they had little thought to find in a land which echoed with curses against them and their cause. In conclusion, Colonel. I have the honor to be, Yours respectfully,

P. J. M ALONE.

Letter from General R. E. Lee to General W. N. Pendleton. HEADQUARTERS ORANGE, September 75, 1863.

Brigadier- General W. N. PENDLETON:

GENERAL, Your letter of the 8th instant, inclosing one from Major Page, reached me at a time when I was pressed by business that had accumulated during my absence. I cannot now give the matter much attention, and have only been able to read partially Major Page's letter. I think the report of my dissatisfaction at your conduct is given upon small grounds, the statement apparently of your courier, upon whom I turned my back. I must acknowledge I have no recollection of the circumstances, or of anything upon which it could be based. The guns were withdrawn from the heights of Fredericksburg under general instructions given by me. It is difficult now to say, with the after-knowledge of events, whether these instructions could at the time have been better executed, or