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With all my devotion
to the Union and the feeling of loyalty and duty of an American citizen,
I have not been able to make up my mind to raise my hand against my
relatives, my children, my home. I have therefore resigned my commission
in the Army, and save in defense of my native State, with the sincere
hope that my poor services may never be needed, I hope I may never be
called on to draw my sword Lee in a letter to his sister, April
20, 1861
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