witness their exposure and suffering. But a more noble spirit was
never displayed anywhere. The faces of old and young were wreathed
with smiles, and glowed with happiness at their sacrifices for the good
of their country. Many have lost EVERYTHING. What the fire and shells
of the enemy spared, their pillagers destroyed. But God will shelter
them, I know. So much heroism will not be unregarded. I can only
hold oral communication with your sister [His daughter Mary, in King
George county, within the lines of the enemy], and have forbidden the
scouts to bring any writing, and have taken some back that I had
given them for her. If caught, it would compromise them. They only
convey messages. I learn in that way she is well.

"Your devoted father,

"R. E. Lee."

I give another letter he wrote on Christmas Day, besides the one
quoted above, to his daughter, Mildred. It was written to his wife,
and is interesting as giving an insight into his private feelings
and views regarding this great victory:

"...I will commence this holy day by writing to you. My heart is filled
with gratitude to Almighty God for His unspeakable mercies with which
He has blessed us in this day, for those He has granted us from the
beginning of life, and particularly for those He has vouchsafed us
during the past year. What should have become of us without His
crowning help and protection? Oh, if our people would only recognise
it and cease from vain self-boasting and adulation, how strong would
be my belief in final success and happiness to our country! But what
a cruel thing is war; to separate and destroy families and friends,