Battle of Manassas

War has unfortunately, broken out it my land -my only true home- Virginia. There was a large battle near Manassas, Virginia and I know without a doubt that there will be no turning back. This is the official start of the Civil War that has been brewing for months.

The northerners were angered by the Battle of Fort Sumter as I suspected they would. They have taken the fancy to crush the ‘rebellion’ here. McDowell was sent to the south to do defeat the Confederate in a quick decisive battle. His 28,000 troops were crushed by the 33,000 commanded the confederate army by Gen. Pierre G.T. Beauregard.

This war will be neither short nor sweet. I can only wait for my time to once again command an army and fight too.




http://library.thinkquest.org/3055/graphics/battles/bullrun.html

http://www.nps.gov/archive/mana/battlefield_history/ob1mana.htm

The begining of trouble

I have been relieved of my duties as the Bvt Col. over the Department of Texas. In place of this task I have been assigned to go to Washington and meet with President Lincoln. It to my understanding that he wants me to join the Union's army and go to war against the south.

This battle that is currently going on at Fort Sumter will be the beginning of what I believe will be a Civil War. South Carolina led it's desire to succeed overwhelm it. Confederate soldiers asked the Union soldiers to surrender Fort Sumter and when they refused the Confederate soldiers fired on thing. This leads me to my current predicament with Lincoln wanting me to join his side. While the events may have been unfortunate I cannot help be sympathize with the south. While this decision will not be an easy one for me, it is an inevitable one, I am all for the Confederate.

War of the Rebellion Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies Series 1. Volume 1. Secession, Ford Sumter. National Historic Society.

http://www.npg.si.edu/exh/brady/gallery/61gal.html

http://americancivilwar.com/statepic/sc/sc001.html

Lincoln's election.

Today I found out that Abraham Lincoln was elected. If I were to say this is troubling, I would be making a grave understatement. The possible repercussions of this event are huge. The union is in such a state of distress. So many interests are screaming to be heard, and each side is ignorant of the other's desires. I can only hope this transition of power will be smooth. Perhaps Lincoln will be sage enough to create compromises that are fair to both the north and the south.

I cannot help but worry. My position as a general commanding a large force called the Department of Texas involves me. I do not wish to see my men dying over one man's failed leadership. While I am against slavery and succession, I am not too unwise to realize the devastation it could cause for the south. I am a Virginian first and an American second. I love my family and they are who I will protect with my life. If succeeding and fighting the north is what it takes to secure their interests I will do so without a moments notice.


http://xroads.virginia.edu/~ug97/monument/leebio.html

http://www.npg.si.edu/exh/brady/gallery/61gal.html

Hello

I am Robert E. Lee and you'll find that I'm not all I appear to be.