"I, Robert E. Lee, appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the Second Regiment of Cavalry in the Army of the United States, do solemnly swear that I will bear true allegiance to the United States of America, and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or opposers whatsoever; and observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the Rules and Articles for the government of the Armies of the United States.
"R. E. Lee, Bt.-Col., U. S. A.
"Sworn to and subscribed before me at West Point, N. Y., this 15th day of March, 1855.
"Wm. H. Carpenter, Justice of the Peace."
(17) Letter of Adjutant-General Thomas to Garfield. Army of Cumberland Society Proceedings (Cleveland), 1870, p. 94.
(18) War Records, vol. i., pp. 11-13.
It is worthy of note that at high noon, exactly four years later (1865) the identical flag lowered in dishonor was "raised in glory" over Fort Sumter, Robert Anderson participating.
(19) Crawford, p. 421.
(20) Life of Toombs (Stovall), p. 226.
(21) One man was killed on each side by accident.