In the verse the name of Mosby is invested with some of those associations with which the popular mind is familiar.  But facts do not warrant the belief that every clandestine attack of men who passed for Mosby’s was made under his eye or even by his knowledge.

In partisan warfare he proved himself shrewd, able, and enterprising, and always a wary fighter.  He stood well in the confidence of his superior officers, and was empoyed by them at times in furtherance of important movements.  To our wounded on more than one occasion he showed considerate kindness.  Officers and civilians captured by forces under his immediate command were, so long as remaining under his orders, treated with civility.  These things are well known to those personally familiar with the irregular fighting in Virginia.

24.  Among those summoned during the spring just passed to appear before the Reconstruction Committee of Congress was Robert E. Lee.  His testimony is deeply interesting, both in itself and as coming from him.  After various questions had been put and briefly answered, these words were addressed to him: 

“If there be any other matter about which you wish to speak on this occasions, do so freely.”  Waiving this invitation, he responded by a short personal explanation of some point in a previous answer, and after a few more brief questions and replies, the interview closed.

In the verse a poetical liberty has been ventured.  Lee is not only represented as responding to the invitation, but also as at last renouncing his cold reserve, doubtless the cloak to feelings more or less poignant.  If for such freedom warrant be necessary the speeches in ancient histories, not to speak of those in Shakespeare’s historic plays, may not unfitly perhaps be cited.

The character of the original measures proposed about time in the National Legislature for the treatment of the (as yet) Congressionally excluded South, and the spirit in which those measures were advocated—­these are circumstances which it is fairly supposable would have deeply influenced the thoughts, whether spoken or withheld, of a Southerner placed in the position of Lee before the Reconstruction Committee.

Supplement.

Were I fastidiously anxious for the symmetry of this book, it would close with the notes.  But the times are such that patriotism—­not free from solicitude—­urges a claim overriding all literary scruples.

It is more than a year since the memorable surrender, but events have not yet rounded themselves into completion.  Not justly can we complain of this.  There has been an upheavel affecting the basis of things; to altered circumstances complicated adaptations are to be made; there are difficulties great and novel.  But is Reason still waiting for Passion to spend itself?  We have sung of the soldiers and sailors, but who shall hymn the politicians?

In view of the infinite desirableness of Re-establishment, and considering that, so far as feeling is concerned, it depends not mainly on the temper in which the South regards the North, but rather conversely; one who never was a blind adherent feels constrained to submit some thoughts, counting on the indulgence of his countrymen.