GENERAL BLAIR: Welcome, Colonel Lee. Welcome to my home. Make yourself comfortable there, colonel. Allow me to get to the point, sir. I have been authorized by President Lincoln himself with the full blessing of the War Department to offer you full command of the Army with the rank of major general.

This Army being raised to quell this rebellion and to preserve the Union.

GENERAL LEE: I assume this Army is to be used to invade those areas to eliminate the rebellion by force.

BLAIR: Yes, sir, the Federal government has been challenged by these rebels who have been most effective in changing the sentiments of state legislatures challenging our Constitution and challenging our central government. The attack on Fort Sumter cannot be ignored.

LEE: General, my home is right there across the Potomac. Why, you can see Arlington House from your front door. My family is spread all over this part of Virginia. If you invade the South, your enemy territory will be right across that river.

BLAIR: Well, sir, there is no great outcry for secession in Virginia. It's not a foregone conclusion that Virginia or Tennessee or Arkansas or Kentucky will join the rebellion.

LEE: My friend, may I humbly submit that you're mistaken about Virginia. As you know, the legislature is convening in Richmond this very day to discuss the very issue of secession. Now, perhaps you know their mind better than they themselves. And I regret to say the president's hasty calling up of volunteers to subdue the rebellion in the cotton states has done nothing to ameliorate the crisis. It has only deepened it.

BLAIR: I trust you're not being too hasty yourself, colonel. This is a great opportunity for you to serve your country.

LEE: My country, Mr. Blair? I never thought I'd see the day the president of the United States would raise an army

to invade his own country. No, Mr. Blair, I cannot lead it. I will not lead it. No.

BLAIR: I'm sorry to hear you say that, sir. I fear you're making a most dreadful mistake.

LEE: Sir, would you please convey my deep sense of honor and gratitude to the president but I must decline his offer. Please tell him, "Please be clear, I have never taken my duties lightly but I have no greater duty than to my home, to Virginia."

Thank you, sir.