Culpepper C. H., Va., April 28, 1864.
. . . The General and I dined to-day with the Honorable John
Minor Botts, the man who presents the very remarkable phenomenon of belonging
to no Government, although living in the State where he was born. He is one of the
most interesting men in conversation I think I have ever met, and at heart I am
sure is a truly loyal man, loyal to the Government of the United States, and
desires our success above all things. Yet he has managed to remain neutral
throughout this struggle. I speak of him thus, however, without approving his
course. If a man is loyal to his government he should use whatever influence he
possesses in aid of it. There is no excuse in my mind for his doing otherwise.
Everything here progresses as well as could be hoped for. No
news of importance from the front. I forgot to mention in my letter of
yesterday that it was General Grant's forty-second birthday. . . .
SOURCE: James H. Wilson, The Life of John A. Rawlins,
p. 426
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