To retain him in the service, he had been appointed, on his arrival at Washington, a full colonel, and in 1860 his name had been sent in, with others, by Scott, as a proper person to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Brigadier-General Jessup.

To these tempting intimations that rapid promotion would attend his adherence to the United States flag, Scott added personal appeals, which, coming from him, must have been almost irresistible.
"For God's sake, don't resign, Lee!" the lieutenant-general is said to have exclaimed.

And, in the protracted interviews which took place between the two officers, every possible argument was urged by the elder to decide Lee to remain firm.
The attempt was in vain.

Lee's attachment to the flag he had so long fought under, and his personal affection for General Scott, were great, but his attachment to his native State was still more powerful.
By birth a Virginian, he declared that he owed his first duty to her and his own people.

If she summoned him, he must obey the summons.