Nashville, February 9, 1864.
. . . I have
written to no one at Washington to look after my confirmation nor sought to
influence any one to that end, being content to discharge my duty in any
position and with any rank the authorities see fit to confer upon me to the
best of my abilities at all times. I doubt not my confirmation, however.
Standing as I do in the near relation to General Grant, and the wholesome
influence I am supposed to exercise for his good, which is not unknown
personally to several gentlemen of great influence in Washington, and who are
to be found both in Congress and in the War Department and belonging to both
political parties, I do not fear the result. If I am not confirmed I will
necessarily go out of the service or fall back to my rank as assistant adjutant
general with the rank of major, my lieutenant-colonelcy being assignable rank
only. My impression is that a failure in confirmation will leave me a civilian.
In that event I shall at least visit “dear wife and children” before seeking
another position in the army. I have never sought promotion, but on the
contrary declined a colonelcy when it was offered to me and accepted a
majority. To be put out of service with no fault or seeking of my own could
attach to me no stain of dishonor or semblance of faltering in this hour of
darkness and peril. I am therefore without anxiety as to the action of the
Senate in my case. I enclose my proper address.
I shall begin
to-morrow in connection with Colonel Bowers to copy up General Grant's official
report of the battles of Chattanooga. . . .
SOURCE: James H. Wilson, The Life of John A. Rawlins,
p. 396-7
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