LEE--Why sir, in the beginning we appointed all our worst generals to command the armies, and all our best generals to edit the newspapers. As you know, I have planned some campaigns and quite a number of battles. I have given the work all the care and thought I could, and sometimes when my plans were completed, so far as I could see they seemed perfect. But when I have fought them through I have discovered defects, and occasionally wondered I did not see some of the defects in advance. When it was all over I found by reading a newspaper that these best editor-generals saw all the defects plainly from the start. Unfortunately, they did not communicate this knowledge to me until it was too late. I have no ambition but to serve the Confederacy and do all I can to win our independence. I am willing to serve in any capacity to which the authorities may assign me. I have done the best I could in the field, and have not succeeded as I should wish. I am willing to yield my place to the best generals, and will do my best for the cause in editing a newspaper. Even as poor a soldier as I am can generally discover mistakes _after it is all over_. But if I could only induce these wise gentlemen, who see them so clearly _beforehand_, to communicate with me in advance, instead of waiting till the evil has come upon us--to let me know what _they knew all the time_--it would be far better for my reputation, and, what is of more consequence, far better for the cause. HILL--Don't let those waspish editors annoy you. The South is behind you to a man. They know what General Lee cannot accomplish, no man can. (_ORDERLY enters and salutes._) LEE--What is it? ORDERLY--General Starke wishes to see you. HILL--I must leave you General, I am grateful for the audience. LEE--I am always glad to talk to those interested in our common cause. Good day, Mr. Hill. HILL--Good day, General. (_Exit._) LEE--Show General Starke in. (_Enter GEN. STARKE. He salutes._) LEE--(_Saluting._) Good morning, General, what can I do for you. STARKE--Nothing for me sir, but a good deal for yourself. LEE--This is no time to think of private benefits. STARKE--But General your reputation is suffering, the press is denouncing you, your own State is losing confidence in you, and the army needs a victory to add to its enthusiasm. LEE--I cannot afford to sacrifice five or six hundred of my people to silence public clamor. When it is time to strike, we will strike with a will. STARKE--I wish those Northerners were all dead. LEE--How can you say so?