RICHMOND, June 13,
1865.
Lieut. Gen. U.S. GRANT,
Commanding Armies of the United States:
GENERAL: Upon reading the President's proclamation of the
29th ultimo, I came to Richmond to ascertain what was proper or required of me
to do, when I learned that with others I was to be indicted for treason by the
grand jury at Norfolk. I had supposed that the officers and men of the Army of
Northern Virginia were, by the terms of their surrender, protected by the
United States Government from molestation so long as they conformed to its
conditions. I am ready to meet any charges that may be preferred against me. I
do not wish to avoid trial, but if I am correct as to the protection granted by
my parole, and am not to be prosecuted, I desire to comply with the provisions
of the President's proclamation, and therefore inclose the required application,
which I request in that event may be acted on.*
I am, with great
respect, your obedient servant,
R. E. LEE.
_______________
* The application was forwarded by General Grant to the
President – See last paragraph of Grant
to Lee, June 20, p. 1287
SOURCES: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of
the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume
46, Part 3 (Serial No. 97), p. 1275-6; John William Jones, Life
and Letters of Robert Edward Lee: Soldier and Man, p. 384
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