Robert Edward Lee's Letter Of Resignation From The U.S. Army
(Property of National Archives.)

     Above is Robert Edward Lee's (19 January 1807-12 October 1870) letter to U.S. Secretary of War Simon Cameron (08 March 1799-26 June 1889) of 20 April 1861. In its contents, Lee had "the honour to tender the resignation" of his "commission as Colonel of the 1^st Regt. of (U.S.) Cavalry."  Loyal to the Union, Lee was unable to take up arms against his native state, Virginia.

     This section is for the examination of governmental papers which led to the formation and operation of the Confederacy.

The War In Documents

War Related Constitutional Documents-The Articles of Confederation, U.S., and Confederate Constitutions.

Secession of the Southern States and Territories-The Secession Ordinances of the fifteen states and territories that comprised the Confederacy.