CUMBERLAND, February
21, 1865.
DEAR LUCY:— You will
be sorry to hear that the Rebels got General Crook this morning. A party of perhaps
fifty or so dashed into town in the night, went direct to the hotels
where General Crook (the Revere) and General Kelley (the St.
Nicholas) quartered, took them prisoners and hurried off. All
possible pains to recapture them have been taken, but I have no
confidence of success. No special blame will attach to
anyone, I suppose. General Kelley commanded the post and had such
guards posted as he deemed necessary — the same I suppose he has had for the
last year or more. The picket post was not blamable, I think, think, — at least
not flagrantly so.
It is a very
mortifying thing to all of us. I have been in the
habit of staying at my camp out a mile or so, and so was
not looked for. The fact was, I had received an order to get quarters
in town and was in town that night at General Duval's headquarters.
But he, having left as everybody knew a week before, his quarters were not searched.
A narrow chance for me. The only other officer taken was Captain
Melvin, adjutant-general of General Kelley. The only possible
danger to General Crook is the chance of his attempting to
escape and failing. — Love to all.
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