Major George L. Stearns, writing from Nashville, Tennessee, to John M. Forbes, October 18, 1863

Yours of the 11th is at hand. I don't wonder that you feel discouraged from your point of view, but let me tell you that the President, while apparently taking one step back, really takes two forward; as you will see by the order enclosed for your private use. If you have time to read all the letters I have sent to Mr. Wellman, you will understand some of the difficulties I have had to remove. There were others, which, as I could not make you understand unless you were here, I have not reported. All are now out of my way and the track clear. Let me sketch to you the policy of the leading slaveholding Union men of this state. They see clearly that their political and social existence here depends on the abolition of slavery and the control of the state by the Union men. Therefore they have entered most heartily into my plans for the organization of colored regiments and are daily in consultation with me.

*          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *

Urge the government to repeal all laws that create a distinction between the colored and white soldier, full pay being as necessary to enable the former to support his family as it is to the latter; to continue the present military government of this state until the change of public sentiment will enable them to control it. This control will be necessary if the state is declared a territory, and therefore nothing will be gained by such action, while it will shock the feeling of those who having fought for the perpetuity of the Union would find it virtually dissolved.

SOURCE: Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 314

John M. Forbes to Edward Bates, October 23, 1863

Rosecrans's removal is all right. Poor fellow, his health broke down, and he came near swamping us at Chattanooga. The military situation is all right. People must go on changing their investments into 5-20's until these go above par; so the financial situation is all right.

*          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *

A John Brown abolitionist is the United States recruiting officer for Tennessee! so you see the world does move.¹

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¹ Major George L. Stearns, of Massachusetts. — Ed.

SOURCE: Sarah Forbes Hughes, Letters and Recollections of John Murray Forbes, Volume 2, p. 63

Major George L. Stearns, writing from Nashville, Tennessee, to John M. Forbes, October 4, 1863

Your letter of the 25th is at hand. Its suggestions are very valuable and will receive immediate attention. I shall send a copy of it to Governor Johnson for his information.

As I intimated to you in Boston, the difficulties of raising colored regiments are not material but political, and will now fully explain my meaning.

I went to Buffalo in February last; the public mind was unprepared for the work, and we had no success until it was shaped and led to a full expression in favor of it. Then our success was marked.

For this vast work we want funds. This is the centre from which operations can be carried on in all directions, and, unless removed, of which I have no fear, I shall probably winter here and urge on the work. All government interference with the slave, except to put him in the army, demoralizes him. It is so here and everywhere. We must urge the government to enlist as many as they can, and let the rest alone. To remove them from their homes is the worst policy. I am taking the able men, and leaving the old men, women and children. The latter will be wanted for labor, and will be well treated, because they will run off if they are badly treated. Next spring there will be a demand for labor on the farms and they will be paid, because others will hire and pay them if the owners do not pay them.

SOURCE: Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 311-2

George L. Stearns, writing from Nashville, Tennessee, September 21, 1863

This is a gloomy day in Nashville, for the army of Rosecrans has been brought to a stand, and is in peril. He is, however, a brave commander and will do his best. We are not in any danger here, being 100 miles from the seat of war, with an almost impassable country between, and troops enough here to guard us from any guerilla attack that might be made.

If you could understand the nature of my work you would say, “Stay and do it.” I am already looked up to by those poor people as their guardian, and they are very grateful. I am offered fruit and carriage rides, and other demonstrations, which are gratifying to me. Yesterday they impressed some men for work, and in the process shot a slave, who, I learn, will probably die. I am doing all I can for him, and am taking measures to prevent a recurrence of those painful scenes. I am busy to-day for I have just commenced recruiting.

SOURCE: Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 310

George L. Stearns, writing from Nashville, Tennessee, September 10, 1863

I opened a letter from you this morning and lo, it was dated 30th August. Probably it had strayed to Rosecrans at Chattanooga and back here. It breathed the old tale of suffering sadness. Such is our life. One day I am successful, and consequently happy. Then, something adverse casts me down, and I have to nerve myself up to the work.

Governor Johnson is afraid of me (or rather was) and opposed my work, and I have been laboring to bring him over to the faith, and think I have succeeded, but can't tell yet. If I do it will be a great gain, for then we will try to settle the slavery question at Washington before Congress meets.

The Governor showed me recent letters from Lincoln and Chase that were very encouraging, Lincoln looking to Tennessee for the key-note of his policy for bringing back the slave states; and I should not be surprised if I was to shape that policy, and the whole affair be settled before it was thought of at the North.

SOURCE: Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 309-10

George L. Stearns, writing from Nashville, Tennessee, September 5, 1863

Left Louisville on Friday morning and arrived here at 6.30 p.m. Have seen Governor Andy Johnson. He is well disposed, understands the subject, and will co-operate and advise me. His aid will be very valuable. From him and others I got the following information. For years a large number of persons in this state, many of them wealthy slaveholders, have entertained feelings hostile to slavery, but did not dare to share their thoughts with any man. Many were afraid to think on the subject.

SOURCE: Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 309

George L. Stearns, writing from Nashville, Tennessee, September 6, 1863

I had a long talk with several influential men here last evening — I think it will result in an effort on their part to destroy slavery in Tennessee. They are in terrible earnest.

SOURCE: Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 309

George L. Stearns to Mary Hall Stearns, August 17, 1863

Stanton has waked up and ordered me to plump myself down in Tennessee, right in the centre of the accursed institution, and go to work. Having sent Fred Douglas there to stir up, I suppose, he wants me to organize and utilize the batch. Well, it is what I came here to do and as that is undoubtedly the best place to do it, I am most happy to go. McKim said I could not reasonably expect to be obliged “to rough it at the Continental” all the time.

My new place for work is to the South what Buffalo was to the West and East — a centre from which to radiate, and I have determined either to burn slavery out, or be burnt by it myself.

Yesterday I went out to camp with Morris L. Hallowell and stopped a few minutes to see Lucretia Mott. She accepts very gracefully the present state of affairs, but looks forward to a state of society when war will be unnecessary. So do I, but told her that this war was a civiliser, not a barbarism. The use of the musket was the first step in the education of the black man. This she accepted. She is a great woman. If you want to know how great she is draw her out on principles not on specialties.

SOURCE: Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 308

George L. Stearns to Mary Hall Stearns, July 26, 1863

I am still perplexed as to the mode in which I can best carry out the work intrusted to me. It is so difficult to attach my mode of rapid working to the slow routine of the Department that I sometimes almost despair of the task and want to abandon it. Indeed, yesterday I went to Olmstead and asked his advice. He was so clearly of opinion that I must continue to work in the hope of better times, that I abandoned the idea, and came here to see Colonel Birney. Birney is a son of the old abolitionist, an able man and sound to the core. He is raising a regiment here with good success, and is just the man for the work. My next work will be here, and when I get through it I trust my future sailing will be plain and rapid.

I have had a short interview with Mr. Chase, who was very gracious; too short for me to form an opinion of him. He is much interested in my work, for it aids his plans, and will see me again.

Hugh McCulloch, to whom I wrote my letters on currency, is very much pleased with them. He made an objection which I am at his request to answer. It will probably lead to a correspondence on that subject.

SOURCE: Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 306-7

George L. Stearns to Mary Hall Stearns, July 12, 1863

As you like poetical avenges I will give you one of the amusing sort. Yesterday at the Union League Club a newmade friend said: “I am going to have you introduced at —— Club; it is the most exclusive here, and by courtesy you will have admission for a month. I have a particular reason for this. You know the T——ms, and I do too. They are men who think all mankind ought to bow down to them. They can't understand why you should have this appointment, and Bill sneers a little at it, but is evidently annoyed. He is a member of the Club and I want you to meet him there.” So I have promised to be introduced as soon as my accomplished Major Hunt arrives. Won't I have fun! Last evening I went to a most enthusiastic meeting of colored men, and made a short speech, reminding them of the divine compensation of John Brown's advent at Harper's Ferry, in return for Captain Pate's raid, and Colonel Montgomery in South Carolina in return for Buford.

We have a camp at Chelten Hills, nine miles from the Continental; a beautiful location I am told. I named it Camp Wm. Penn. The Quakers wince, but I tell them it is established on peace principles; that is, to conquer a lasting peace.

SOURCE: Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 302

George L. Stearns to Dr. W. J. Baner of New York City, July 17, 1863

You have been called to a fearful ordeal, but one I trust necessary for the future stability of our government and civilization, — the result of New York City legislation for the past ten or twenty years. Nothing could cure the evil but a full appreciation of its effects on the property of your citizens. You have men among you always ready to inflame the passions of the ignorant and debased, but too cowardly to publicly control the element when roused to fury. Those men must be unearthed and the punishment due to their crimes meted out to them, as a warning in the future, or you will be called to do the work over again, perhaps under still more trying circumstances.

When the rebellion broke out here I was with our Governor. I told him it was rebellion (not riot), organized by Jeff. Davis, when here in 1860, and only controlled by circumstances till the present time. What I have been talking in private to my friends for two years is made manifest, and if we would have peace and quiet in the future, we must have the leaders arrested and punished.

Fortunately for Boston and all New England, a dose of canister on the first night fired into a dense crowd, which is said to have killed and wounded more than fifty, settled the affair, and we have been safe here from that moment.

SOURCE: Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 299-300

Joseph Choate to George L. Stearns, probably about late July 1863

This last calamity to the house and family of Mrs. Gibbons (the sacking of her home by the recent riot) presents a fit opportunity for her friends and those of her children to bear a testimony to the esteem in which they hold her. We propose, therefore, to give her a benefit.

Mrs. G., as you know, has spent her whole life in unrewarded devotion to that same wretched class of people who have now so ruthlessly destroyed her home, and she has spent twelve months of the last sixteen at her own expense in nursing our sick and wounded in the hospitals, utterly regardless of her own interests, and now she returns to find her home a desert, and literally has hardly where to lay her head. It is high time, therefore, for her friends to show her that her good works have not been all in vain. Besides, I know that unless something of the kind is done, the family will actually suffer from the recent loss.

SOURCE: Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 299

George L. Stearns to Mary Hall Stearns, June 26, 1863

[June 26, 1863.]

Yesterday General Hunter was here on his way to Princeton. I had a long talk with him. He says Montgomery is a natural soldier and a splendid man; indorsed fully all I said of him. That is a good drill officer but in fight fails to take advantage of his position.

Philadelphians are much excited about the raid, or invasion of their state, but it does not penetrate my rooms. We open camp here to-day with our company.

SOURCE: Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 297

Wendell Phillips to George L. Stearns, June 19, 1863

[June 19, 1863.]

Dear Stearns:

Yours recd, and communicated to Sanborn. We congratulate you — your success seems full.

I forward the official document as requested with two remarks. 1st. Mr. Jay Browne is no “friend” of mine. He knew me and wrote me, and, as in duty bound, I forwarded his letter to Andrew, 2d. I remember well our understanding, a wise one, that you had nothing to do with commissions, and I had nothing to do in recommending any one to you.

SOURCE: Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 295

George L. Stearns to Mary Hall Stearns, about May 15, 1863

[Buffalo, New York.]

I comfort myself with the belief that this is our appointed work. I did not seek it; it sought me out. You did not seek it, but the divine spirit within you impelled the work which was so contrary to all your ideas of a happy life; and now we fully understand each other and the work that is before us. A sweet peace has come to my soul, so sweet that I welcome the sadness that comes with it.

I have no news of importance to write you except that Casimir has plead guilty to the theft, and has been sentenced to four years and six months' hard labor in the state prison of Kansas. How terrible the career of one so young and gifted. He writes that he could endure it if he was not obliged to work in the streets of Leavenworth with a ball and chain attached to his leg. My heart bleeds for him. With a career of useful and honorable service open to him, he has sacrificed all to a mean and pitiful vanity.

SOURCE: Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 293-4

George L. Stearns to Governor John A. Andrew, May 8, 1863

Mansion House, Buffalo, May 8, 1863

I have worked every day, Sunday included, for more than two months, and from fourteen to sixteen hours a day. I have filled the West with my agents. I have compelled the railroads to accept lower terms of transportation than the Government rates. I have filled a letter-book of five hundred pages, most of it closely written.

[Endorsement:]

This letter is respy. referred to Surgeon Genl. Dole with the request that he would confer with Surgeon Stone and Lt. Col. Hallowell. It is surprising, and not fair nor fit, that a man trying, as Mr. Stearns is, to serve the country at a risk should suffer thus by such disagreement of opinion.

John A. Andrew.

SOURCE: Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 292-3

George L. Stearns to Mary Hall Stearns, May 7, 1863

[May 7, 1863.]

Yesterday at noon, I learned from Governor Andrew by telegram that he did not intend to raise another regiment. I was thunderstruck. My work for three months would nearly, or quite, fall to the ground. I telegraphed in reply: “You told me to take all the men I could get without regard to regiments. Have two hundred men on the way; what shall I do with them?” The reply came simultaneously with your letter: “Considering your telegraph and Wild's advice, another regiment may proceed; expecting it full in four weeks. Present want of troops will probably prevent my being opposed.” I replied: “I thank God for your telegram received this morning. You shall have the men in four weeks.” Now all is right.

If I had received a refusal to accept more men, my plans were all laid. I should have gone to Washington to-morrow morning, having recalled my transportation agent from the West to take my place here, and have presented a clean-cut plan to Stanton for raising colored regiments, North and South, which I have no doubt he would have accepted. Now I go on with my work again.

SOURCE: Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 291

John J. Cisco to George L. Stearns, February 9, 1863

United States Treasury,     

New York, Feb. 9, 1863.

Dear Sir:

I have to acknowledge receipt of your favor of the 5th inst. and with it a copy of a very able letter on financial matters which you have done me the honor to address to me.

The views advanced by you are very suggestive and certainly worthy of serious consideration. I have communicated the letter to the Secretary of the Treasury, inviting his special attention to it. Herewith you will find an extract from the money column of the Herald of this date referring to it.

Very respectfully yours,

john J. Cisco.

SOURCE: Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 283

Journal of Amos A. Lawrence, October 24, 1859

G. L. Stearns came at my request. He told me that the rifles were the lot which were turned over to “Old Brown” by the National Committee; he did not suppose that they would be used for an insurrection, but only to defend the Kansas settlers.

SOURCE: William Lawrence, Life of Amos A. Lawrence: With Extracts from His Diary and Correspondence, p. 131

George L. Stearns, August 7, 1862

[Office of John Hopper, New York, New York, August 7, 1862]

I am safely here, and have met General Doubleday. He is rather too lymphatic for a general, but for all that may be the best man to be had. He is yet in doubt as to his course; is afraid that the War Department would not give him the command. I shall probably get useful information and hear some history from him about McClellan and others. If so you shall have it.

SOURCE: Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 266