Savannah, Tenn., March 13, 1862.
Your kind and complimentary note of the 24th ult., addressed
to me at Paducah, was not received by me until this morning. I fear that
yourself and others overrate the value of my services recently; I did not
suppose I was doing anything remarkable; however, I am not the less sensible of
the kindness and manliness you have exhibited toward one so entirely a stranger
to you as myself. I am deeply grateful to you, believe me. As I know it will
gratify your State pride, it affords me great pleasure to say that, although
all of the Iowa regiments acted creditably, the behavior of the Second was,
during the assault of the 15th, as fine an exhibition of soldierly conduct as
it has ever been my fortune to witness.
I am here with a large force on a rather delicate mission,
which will be developed in a few days. Again thanking you for your manliness
and kindness, I remain
Very truly your
friend and servant,
C. F. Smith.
The Hon. James
W. Grimes, Washington.
SOURCE: William Salter, The Life of James W. Grimes,
p. 183
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