d H-qrst Camp Orange CtHouse 22 Aug '63 His Excl Jeff~ Oavi$ Pres: Conf-erate State$-Richmond Mr President 1 have read with attention your letter of the 11-th Instt, & am grateful for your kind & partial consideration of my feeble services--I confess 1 am disapp! at your determination, but since you have so directed, I shall not continue the subject but beg that whenever in your opinion the public service will be advanced, no matter from what cause, that you will. act upon the application before you. I am as willing to serve now as in the beginning in any capacity & at any post where I can do a~~ good. The lower the position the more suitable to my ability & the more agreeablie to my feelings 0 Beyond such assistance as I can give to an invalid wife & three houseless daughters I have no object in life but to devote myself to the defense of our violated country's rights, With great respect your Obt Servt R E lee Gen