First printing: letter A with date code 8.61 on the copyright page with no additional printings. Tight, flat, square, sharp and crisp book in DJ with small nicks, tears, and one folded over tear of about 1". Foxing on the edges. Photographs and other images. On 22 January 1861 Colonel Robert E. Lee wrote: ?I wish to live under no other government, and there is no sacrifice I am not ready to make for the preservation of the Union save that of honour. If a disruption takes place, I shall go back in sorrow to my people and share the misery of my native State, and save in her defense there will be one soldier less in the world than now. I wish for no other flag than the ?Star Spangled Banner? and no other air than ?Hail Columbia? I still hope that the wisdom and patriotism of the nation will save it.? On 19 April 1861, the Commonwealth of Virginia seceded from the Union, he stated previously that ?I am one of those dull creatures that cannot see the good of secession.? Later, following the surrender at Appomattox, General Lee would state that ?General Grant has acted with magnanimity? to the terms that were offered and accepted.