Question

What are the "public journals" and why did lee mention them in his August 8th letter?

Answer 1

The Public journals of General Robert E Lee are a series of letters wrote by him throughout his time in the United States Army until his secession and eventual confirmation of the Confederate Army. This collection of journals continued growing in size until his letter of resignation which he addressed to Confederate President Jefferson Davis on August 8th, 1863.

Answer 2

The public journals are the newspaper reports in which Lee's ability to lead was questioned after his defeat in Gettysburg. He mentioned them because he himself had felt a loss of confidence in his ability to lead.