I had been thrown into such intimate relations with him, I had learned
to appreciate him very highly. Morning and evening have I seen him
on his knees praying to his Maker.

"'The righteous perisheth and no man layeth it to heart, and merciful
men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away
from the evil to come.' May God have mercy on us all! I suppose you
are at the Hot Springs and will direct to you there. Our poor sick,
I know, suffer much. They bring it on themselves by not doing what
they are told. They are worse than children, for the latter can be
forced....

"Truly yours,

"R. E. Lee."

On the same day he wrote the Governor of Virginia:

"Valley Mountain, September 17, 1861.

"My Dear Governor: I received your very kind note of the 5th instant,
just as I was about to accompany General Loring's command on an
expedition to the enemy's works in front, or I would have before
thanked you for the interest you take in my welfare, and your too
flattering expressions of my ability. Indeed, you overrate me much,
and I feel humbled when I weigh myself by your standard. I am, however,
very grateful for your confidence, and I can answer for my sincerity
in the earnest endeavour I make to advance the cause I have so much
at heart, though conscious of the slow progress I make. I was very
sanguine of taking the enemy's works on last Thursday morning. I had