Washington, April 23, '61.
Dear Sir, —
Have you at your disposal any appointment in the Army which you would be
willing to give me?
I speak and write English, French, and Italian, and read
German and Spanish: knew once enough of Mathematics to put me at the head of my
class in Harvard — though now I may need a little rubbing up: am a tolerable
proficient with the small sword and the singlestick: and can ride a horse as far
and bring him in as fresh as any other man. I am twenty-six years of age, and
believe I possess more or less of that moral courage about taking
responsibility which seems at present to be found only in Southern officers.
I scarcely know to whom to refer you, — but either Mr. J. M.
Forbes, or my Uncle, James Russell Lowell, will put you in the way of hearing
more about my qualifications.
If you have no appointment at your disposal, perhaps you
could get me one from Iowa or even Maryland. I have been living in the latter
State for a little over six months, in charge of a rolling mill at Mount
Savage. I heard of the trouble at Baltimore and of the action of Governor Hicks
on Saturday, and at once gave up my place and started for Washington, and was
fortunate enough to get through here yesterday, after several detentions.
I am trying to get an appointment on the Volunteer staff — my
companion, Mr. Stewart, an Englishman, was yesterday named aide-decamp to
Colonel Stone in command of the district troops: it was a lucky hit, and I fear
I shall not make as good a one.
Whether the Union stands or falls, I believe the profession
of arms will henceforth be more desirable and more respected than it has been
hitherto: of course, I should prefer the artillery. I believe, with a week or
two of preparation, I could pass the examinations.
Our mails are cut off — but Gurowski tells me he has means
of getting letters through, and I shall ask him to enclose this. Any reply
might be addressed to Gurowski's care.1
Yours respectfully,
Charles Russell Lowell, Jr.
_______________
1 Count Adam Gurowski, a Polish patriot, exiled
for his part in revolutionary politics at home, came to America and became a
student and man of letters.
SOURCE: Edward Waldo Emerson, Life and Letters of
Charles Russell Lowell, p. 201-2, 402
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