Mr. Abbott’s Letter

We publish to-day a bold and remarkable letter from the pen of John C. Abbott, well known in the literary world, to the N. Y. Evening Post.  The points upon which he comments are of great interest and possess an importance that entitle them to consideration.  Occupying the stand-point he does, with such facilities at hand for ascertaining facts and forming correct conclusions, his opinions assume weight not usually attached to newspaper correspondents.  There is now doubt that had a more vigorous policy been adopted in the commencement of hostilities, and men in power had not felt the extreme tenderness toward rebels that was manifested and so much anxiety that slavery should come to no harm, the rebellion would be sooner crushed, and the question of slavery more satisfactorily settled.  Had our Generals adopted Napoleon’s policy and pressed into service reliable information, no matter from what quarter it came or the color of the skin of the informant, their success would without doubt have been greater.

It is said that the first intimation Gen. Grant received for the escape of Floyd and his forces from Fort Donelson, on Saturday night, was from the lips of a contraband, and that it was this knowledge that made him determine with his bleeding and starving troops to renew the attack on Sunday morning, with some show of success; and it was this knowledge that made him insist on unconditional surrender.  Invaluable as the information imparted by contrabands has proven on diverse occasions, yet some of our generals have been so short-sighted as to issue orders not to allow them to enter our lines.  Unquestionably such a course is depriving the Federal forces of invaluable information, while at the same time it is strengthening the rebels by keeping within their lines these valuable aids to more vigorous action.  Thank God some of our Generals have pursued a different course, and used not only the information furnished by the contrabands, but their subsequent labor, to great advantage.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 11, 1862, p. 2