Richmond Enquirer,
April 24, 1861
We rejoice, (says the Lynchburg “Virginia,”) that this distinguished officer and worthy son of Virginia, has withdrawn from Lincoln’s army and thrown himself upon the bosom of his native State. It was what we expected of the man. Capt. Maury has done likewise and thus, these two noble men, the very flower of the Army and Navy of the late United States, respond to the call of their glorious old mother. Sparta never had worthier sons. All honor to them and to the State that furnished them. Let no Coriolanus be found in the army of mercenaries that shall besiege the cities of Virginia. If there should be—even though it were a Scott, whose laurelled brow has towered like the sons of Saul, long a conspicuous object amongst his countrymen—the women may no entreat them, but will execrate their memory. Virginia expects every son of hers, no matter where he has been in the past, to do his duty now in this her hour of trial. If they be true Virginians they will act like Lee and Maury and Forrest have done.
The Alexandria “Gazette,”of Saturday last, and before the fact of Col. Lee’s resignation had transpired, thus referred to him:
It is probable that the secession of Virginia will cause an immediate resignation of many officers of the Army and Navy from this State. We do not know, and have no right to speak for or anticipate the course of Col. Robt. E. Lee. Whatever he may do, will be conscientious and honorable. But if should resign his present position in the Army of the United States, we call the immediate attention of our State to him, as an able, brave, experienced, officer:—no man his superior in all that constitutes the soldier and the gentleman—no man more worthy to head our forces and lead our army. There is no one who would command more of the confidence of the people of Virginia, that this distinguished officer; and no one under whom the volunteers and militia would more gladly rally. His reputation, his acknowledged ability, his chivalric character, his probity, honor and—may we add, to his eternal praise—his Christian life and conduct—make his very name a name of strength.—It is a name surrounded by revolutionary and patriotic associations and reminiscences.