Brigadier-General Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, January 1, 1865

CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND, January 1, 1865.

DEAREST:— We reached here last night. We shall build winter quarters and soon settle down. I shall apply for a leave of absence as soon as we are all fixed, and then to see the dear ones!

On the 30th we were marching from Stephenson's Depot to Martinsburg. I often thought of the twelve-years-ago day (wedding-day), and of the happiness my darling has been to me since. I do hope I shall see you soon. — Love to all.

Affectionately, your

R.

MRS. HAYES.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 553

Brigadier-General Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, January 8, 1865

CAMP HASTINGS, NEAR CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND,        

January 8, 1865.

DEAR UNCLE: – I am now in our winter camp. All things seem to be about as they should be. My leave of absence for twenty days has been granted, and I shall start home in two or three days. I shall probably not be able to stay with you more than one day. I can't yet tell, but I suppose about the 25th I shall get around to Fremont. I hope to reach Chillicothe on the 12th. Yours of the first I got last night. I will stay with Mother one or two days at Delaware.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

P.S. — My adjutant, Captain Hastings, is getting well. He is at Winchester and can't yet be moved from his bed. He will be major of [the] Twenty-third and in two or three months can probably ride. I have named my camp after him.

S. BIRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 555

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: October 1, 1861

This morning Colonel Cook leaves for Springfield on a leave of absence.

SOURCES: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 16

Diary of Captain Luman Harris Tenney: April 15, 1865

Wrote several letters and read the papers. Yesterday put in application for leave of absence. I am very anxious to see my dear mother. Would that Johnston would be wise and surrender. Think he will be. Thank God that peace is so near and a united country will live to advance religion, justice and liberty. Forage detail. Virginians thoroughly submissive.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 160

Request of William C. H. Waddell, John J. Cisco, and Colonel A. Farnsworth, that Capt. William T. Lusk of the 79th Highlanders Be Granted Leave of Absence with a View of His Attaining Command of Col. Allen's Regiment, January 31, 1863

New-York, Jan. 31st, 1863.

Governor desires that General Sprague will reply to this note.

*          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *

His Ex'cy. Horatio Seymour,

Governor of the State of New-York, &c, &c.

Sir:

A regiment of infantry is now being organized in this neighborhood under the temporary command of Col. Ethan Allen. It is deemed desirable that Capt. Wm. T. Lusk of the 79th Highlanders (now in the field from this State) should obtain a leave of absence with a view of his attaining the Command of this Regt., Col. Allen wishing to retire. We are anxious at the request of the friends of Capt. Lusk, who is a very deserving and meritorious officer, to procure him a leave of absence for a limited period from his present position, and beg your Excellency to aid us in an application to the War Department towards the accomplishment of that end. This is also at Col. Allen's¹ request. With high regard, we are,

Your Obt. Servants,

Wm. Coventry

H. Waddell.

I fully concur in the recommendation of Mr. Waddell.

John J. Cisco.

As Capt. Lusk has been tendered the position of Lieut. Colonel of a regiment now organizing in this State, his presence here is desirable. I sincerely hope, therefore, that he may be granted a leave of absence.

A. Farnsworth,²

Col. 79th N. Y. V.

Respectfully transmitted to the Adjutant-General with a request that, if consistent, a leave of absence may be granted for the purpose mentioned.

Hd. Qrs. Albany, N. Y.

Feb. 8th, 1863.

I. T. Sprague, Adjt.-General.

A. G. Office. Feby. 11th, 1863.

(636. V. 4) Respectfully returned to the Governor of New-York. The rules of the Dept. do not admit of the leave being granted. When the Command is organized, this officer will be discharged for promotion, if the request be then made by the Governor.

By order of the Sec'y. of War,

Thomas M. Vincent,     

Asst. Adjt.-Genl.

_______________

¹ Ethan Allen, Colonel.

² Col. F. is absent from his Rcgt. at present in consequence of a wound and ill health.

SOURCE: William Chittenden Lusk, Editor, War Letters of William Thompson Lusk, p. 279-80

Captain William Thompson Lusk to Elizabeth Adams Lusk, August 5, 1862

Headquarters Stevens' Div.

9th Army Corps,

Steamer “elm City,” Aug. 5th, 1862.

My dear Mother:

Here we are at length at Acquia Creek. Our destination is Fredericksburg. Please direct your letters to that place in future. We are exchanging at every move disease for health. Our present position is one of the healthiest in Virginia, so dear Mother, give yourself no alarm.

I received two letters from you previous to leaving Newport News, one written after Lilly's marriage, which had travelled down to Hilton Head, and the other a letter containing an account of the kindly manner all speak of me at home. For the latter I am grateful indeed, though I feel a little puzzled at its extent. The first day I landed at Newport News, as I was riding toward our camping ground, a nice, handsome-looking young fellow stopped me, saying, “How are you Will?” I stopped, examined his face, talked, and tried to discover who my friend was. After running through the probabilities, I said, “Why this is Charley Breed!” “Yes,” said he, “you are a good deal changed, but I recognized you at once.” So we parted, promising soon to meet again. But duty intervened, and the other day I read that he was dead.

I received likewise a letter from Edward Stedman, via Hilton Head, with kind words of encouragement for me.

I have nothing more to write. Don't mind —— ——.

Instead of “Speed the Plow,” “Speed the Bayonet,” and all will be right again. Vive la guerre and down with the rebellion. If the South wishes to secede, they must wait until they ask it of the North, not with threats, but in fear and trembling.

Good-bye, dear mother,

Truly your affec.

Will,

Capt. & A. A. A. G.

which means that the Assistant Adjutant-General is sick and has gone home, and that I am acting in his place until his leave of absence expires.

SOURCE: William Chittenden Lusk, Editor, War Letters of William Thompson Lusk, p. 173-4

Captain William Thompson Lusk to Elizabeth Adams Lusk, Early Morning, August 3, 1862

Aug. 3d, early in the morning. I trust by the time this reaches you, you may ascertain through the papers our destination. I am quite in the fog, but cling to the fancy that it must be to join Pope. I am much obliged to my friends who are urging my appointment in the new Regiment. Of course for the present I can only hold my tongue. You cannot long to see me more than I do you. I certainly would give six months' pay for one month's rest. It is a good deal wearing to be kept steadily at the wheel which seems never to stop turning. However, I shall hope for a few days to recruit myself, if appointed to the 18th. It is really remarkable though, how my health continues. I am beginning to have strong faith in my vitality. If there be no other chance, why, I shall have to wait until next winter. I think had I received a short leave of absence this summer my usefulness would have been much increased. I could not have it, though many have been home ten months out of the twelve. Of course I shall feel the prouder for it in the end. Goodbye. A thousand kisses judiciously dispensed among dear ones at home.

Affec'y.,

WILL.

SOURCE: William Chittenden Lusk, Editor, War Letters of William Thompson Lusk, p. 172

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Luman Harris Tenney: July 30, 1863

After some shopping and looking around went on street cars to Regt. Met it and came back. Found everything all right. Went around with Tod. Many boys congratulated me, did me good. Received two good letters from Fannie and one from home. What a contrast between today and yesterday. In the afternoon helped some about filling furloughs for boys. Applied for leave of absence for ten days. Boys on tiptoe. Saw Bushnell and Shorty who was in Oberlin the Sen. Prep. year. Good men. Went to Wood's theatre to hear Minstrels. Went for ice cream with Maj. Nettleton.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 81

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Luman Harris Tenney: July 31, 1863

Didn't arise until nearly eight. Passed rather a restless night on account of rash. Went over to Covington and made arrangements for barracks for 2nd O. V. C. Only 30 allowed to go home now. Some disappointed. Called on A. B. in P. M. Took me to ice cream saloon and did the fair thing. Got leave of absence. Rained some. Off at 10 P. M. Jolly boys.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 81

Captain Charles “Edward” Putnam to Mary “Ella” Fawcett, July 17, 1863

Camp 13th Iowa Infantry

Clinton, Mississippi

July 17th 1863

Dear Friend Ella:

I had begun to think Ella had forgotten her absent friend, Ed — until a few days ago when a letter came from her with the date of June 28th. I am always very anxious to hear from you and when a long time passes without the receipt of a letter, I imagine a thousand things, wondering if you are tired of our correspondence, or if I have failed to please you. As regards your showing my letters to your friends, I have no objections if there is anything in them of interest to others. I do not intentionally write anything of which I am ashamed to have anyone read; perhaps there are things in them occasionally which had not better be too widely circulated, but I leave the matter to your discretion.

My Fourth of July passed off very quietly. Our brigade lay at a ford on Black River all day watching the movements of  Gen. Johnston’s troops on the opposite side of the river.

Frank has never shown me your miniature nor have I seen a likeness of you taken since I came away since I have been in the army. I expect you have changed very much since I left you and am anxious to know how you look; but presume I shall have to wait until my return. I was greatly surprised to learn that you had not imagined what possesses a woman to shear her head of her greatest ornament — and you had such beautiful hair that it seems a pity that you should have done it.

Evening, July 19th

Do you begin to think that after all the promises I have made about going home this summer that I am not going to fulfill them? It really looks so now — but I assure you that were it possible, I should have been at home ‘ere this. It is very true that many officers are going home all the time; and it looks singular that among so many chances, I cannot obtain the privilege of leaving. But to get a leave of absence one must be sick, or pretend to be, and my principles will not allow me to resort to false statements to obtain even so great a wished for pleasure.

To say that I am contented would be false, for I have anticipated so much happiness from a visit that to be deprived of it makes me quite discontented — and you know that, “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick” — and certainly I have hoped long enough to go home, as my letters will testify. However, I still hope on believing that my turn will come after awhile.

You don’t know how much I want to see you and I am afraid that when I get a chance…

[unsigned letter; missing second sheet]

Click on photo to enlarge.

Click on photo to enlarge.

SOURCE: This letter was put up for auction on Ebay. Accessed August 5, 2017.

Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Sophia Birchard Hayes, December 22, 1862

Camp Near Gauley, December 22, 1862.

Dear Mother: — I received your letter of the 10th. Yes, the Vermont colonel's speech, etc., at Bennington came safely. A cool old colonel he was, as well as pious. I see that the One Hundred and Thirteenth Regiment is consolidated with some other. How does it affect Colonel Mitchell? I hope he does not lose his position. . . .

Dr. Joe Webb has gone home on thirty-days leave of absence. Colonel Comly, on an order from General Scammon, is with him at Fayette. Major McIlrath has gone home for a twenty-day visit. This leaves me the only field officer here, but there is very little to do. The men still busy with their quarters and all quiet in front. My health is perfect; I was never so heavy as now.

You will enjoy the return of the children, or the young ladies rather. What charming girls they are! My love to them and Ruddy and all. I hope you will have happy holidays.

Affectionately, your son,

Rutherford.

Mrs. Sophia Hayes.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 379

Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, Sunday Evening, December 21, 1862

Log Cabin Camp, December 21, 1862. Sunday evening.

Dearest: — Dr. Jim got his proper resignation papers today and will leave in the morning. Dr. Joe's leave of absence from Washington for thirty days from December 18 came to hand a half an hour after he had left on General Ewing's twenty-day leave. He will not regret the ten day's extension. . . .

I cannot answer all your inquiries about the wounded. Ligget is doing well; is probably at home ere this. I got a letter from Joel tonight. He is the Jew who got eight bullet holes in his person and limbs. He says he thinks he can stand service in a couple of months. He don't want to be discharged. Ritter writes me in good spirits.

Very interesting, all talk about the boys. . . . Webb's surprise that learning is needed in western Virginia hits the position of matters more closely than he knew. Sound teeth and a good digestion are more required than education. I do not know but fear to risk the boys in this eager mountain air; not at present, at any rate. So, of your coming,—

Almost ten years. How happy we have been. But you don't say a word about your health. If that requires you to come, you shall come. Otherwise you perhaps “better not.” Do you comprehend the solicitude I feel? Enough for tonight. — Love [to] all the boys and to Grandma.

Affectionately,

R.

Mrs. Hayes.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 378-9

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Lemuel A. Abbott: Monday, September 26, 1864

Tonight finds me in the hotel at Harper's Ferry waiting for my leave of absence which I expect tomorrow; arrived last night at 10 o'clock tired and lame, but not discouraged although my mouth was sore and painful. The swelling has largely gone, and I can eat a little quite comfortably if the food is soft, but I couldn't if I wasn't nearly famished. Major Goddard — our paymaster — paid me today. I expected to have to go to Washington.

SOURCE: Lemuel Abijah Abbott, Personal Recollections and Civil War Diary, 1864, p. 213-4

Lieutenant-Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, August 8, 1862

Camp Green Meadows, Mercer County, Virginia,

August 8, 1862.

Dear Uncle: — . . . . I have not yet decided as to the Seventy-ninth Regiment. I would much prefer the colonelcy of this [regiment, the Twenty-third], of course. At the same time there are some things which influence me strongly in favor of the change. I shall not be surprised if the anxiety to have the colonel present to aid in recruiting will be such that I shall feel it my duty to decline. You know I can't get leave of absence until my commission is issued, and the commission does not issue until the regiment is full. By this rule, officers in the field are excluded. I shall leave the matter to take care of itself for the present.

We have had a good excitement the last day or two. A large force, about two thousand, with heavy artillery and cavalry, have been attacking the positions occupied by the Twenty-third. They cannonaded Major Comly at the ferry four and one-half miles from here, and a post I have at the ford three and one-half miles from here, on Wednesday. Tents were torn and many narrow escapes made, but strangely enough nobody on our side was hurt. With our long-range muskets, the enemy soon found they were likely to get the worst of it.

The same evening our guard-tent was struck by lightning. Eight men were knocked senseless, cartridge boxes, belted to the men, were exploded, and other frightful things, but all are getting well.

The drafting pleases me. It looks as if [the] Government was in earnest. All things promise well. I look for the enemy to worry us for the next two months, but after that our new forces will put us in condition to begin the crushing process. I think another winter will finish them. Of course there will be guerrilla and miscellaneous warfare, but the power of the Rebels will, I believe, go under if [the] Government puts forth the power which now seems likely to be gathered.

I am as anxious as you possibly can be to set up in Spiegel Grove, and to begin things. It is a pity you are in poor health, but all these things we need not grieve over. Don't you feel glad that I was in the first regiment originally raised for the three years service in Ohio, instead of waiting till this time, when a man volunteers to escape a draft? A man would feel mean about it all his days.

I wish you were well enough to come out here. You would enjoy it to the top of town. Many funny things occur in these alarms from the enemy. Three shells burst in our assistant surgeon's tent. He was out but one of them killed a couple of live rattlesnakes he had as pets! One fellow, an old pursy fifer, a great coward, came puffing up to my tent from the river and began to talk extravagantly of the number and ferocity of the enemy. Said I to him, “And, do they shoot their cannon pretty rapidly?” “Oh, yes,” said he, “very rapidly indeed — they had fired twice before I left the camp”!

It is very hot these days but our men are still healthy. We have over eight hundred men, and only about ten in hospital here

Sincerely,

R. B. Hayes.

P. S. — Wasn't you pleased with the Morgan raid into Kentucky? I was in hopes they would send a shell or two into Cincinnati. It was a grand thing for us.

S. Birchard.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 319-21

Lieutenant-Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes August 5, 1862

Green Meadows, August 6 [5], i862.

Dearest: — Adjutant Avery, Lieutenant Hastings, and some good men go home on recruiting service.

I have nothing to say this hot day. I have still some hope that things will so work together as to allow me to see you during the next month or two. At present no leaves of absence are granted to officers appointed in new regiments. I do not know how this will affect the appointees for the Seventy-ninth. If they choose to turn us out, all right. I am indifferent. Indeed, leaving the Twenty-third is an unpleasant thing to contemplate. When I look at the neat, hardy, healthy, contented young fellows who make up nine-tenths of the regiment, and contrast their appearance with a mob of raw recruits — dirty, sickly, lawless, and complaining, I can't help feeling that I should be a great fool to accept the new position.

But there are other considerations which influence me in the other direction, and so I quietly dodge the question for the present. To see “all the boys” and your own dear self, that is a great matter, and I think, if things go on as I anticipate, that circumstances will decide me for the Seventy-ninth, always provided these stringent orders as to absence don't cut me out of the chance.

Dr. Joe has been for three or four days quite sick. He is now up and about again. He complains that he gets no letters.

Later. — Dr. Joe is content. He has got two letters — one from you and one from Mother. I have yours of the 26th. Yes, we feel a good deal alike about leaving the Twenty-third. Well, I have no official notice as to what I am to do. But I have official notice that no leave of absence is granted for the purpose of recruiting new regiments. So the question as to whether I go or stay is likely to decide itself. So let it do. Love to all the boys.

Affectionately ever,

R.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 317-8

Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett to Edwin M. Stanton, August 19, 1865

[Draft.]

August 19, 1865.

Dear Sir, — I cannot express to you my appreciation of and thanks for your very kind note of the 12th, in which you so graciously grant my request for leave of absence. I cannot forget your kindness in this matter, and shall try not to forfeit your favorable consideration.

You addressed me as Brevet Major-general, and I have been informed that such a brevet had been recommended, and that Mr. S. had written to you concerning its confirmation, but I have not received any official notice of it, and the leave is made out for Brigadier-general. In the matter of pay, you have said all that I could expect, and I am content to leave the question suspended, and await the decision that circumstances may dictate, judging that it is not doubtful up to the time when I should otherwise have been mustered out.

I have just received the leave from the Adjutant-general's office.

Yours, etc.

[brigadier-general Willaim F. Bartlett.]

SOURCE: Francis Winthrop Palfrey, Memoir of William Francis Bartlett, p. 154-5

Edwin M. Stanton to Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett, August 12, 1865

War Department,

Washington City, August 12, 1865.

Dear Sir, — Your note of the 9th inst. reached me this morning, and the Adjutant-general has been directed to give you six months’ leave of absence with the privilege to go beyond the limits of the United States. I would be glad to continue the pay, but it would lead to so many applications of a similar nature as to become necessary perhaps to revoke all. The question of pay therefore can remain suspended, but it is probable that the service will require the absence to be without pay.

Yours truly,

Edwin M. Stanton.

Brevet Major-general Bartlett,

16 Broad Street, Boston.

SOURCE: Francis Winthrop Palfrey, Memoir of William Francis Bartlett, p. 154

Diary of Lieutenant-Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes: Thursday, July 31, 1862

Rained almost all day, clearing up the after part of the day. Received Commercial of 28th. It looks as if they were getting ready to draft. The Commercial finds fault with the rule which practically excludes from the new regiments officers already in the field: no one to be appointed unless he can be present to aid in recruiting, and no officer to have leave of absence unless he is actually commissioned over a regiment already filled up!! Well, I am indifferent. The present position is too agreeable, to make [me] regret not getting another. — I saw the new moon square in front.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 313-4

Captain William Thompson Lusk to Elizabeth Adams Lusk, January 9, 1862

Headquarters 2d Brigade,

Beaufort, S. C. Jan. 9th, 1862.

My dear Mother:

It is with great pleasure I am able to write of my rapid recovery from a somewhat severe illness. I caught the fever prevalent in this country, and lost all those pounds of flesh of which I have boasted, but am thankful to be again restored to health, if not to full strength, and am gaining rapidly. There is little chance of obtaining a leave of absence, for, though delightful as it would be to see you all again, it is not well to look back when the hand is once put to the plough. You will ere this have received an account of our New Year's call over on the mainland of South Carolina. It was very successful, but I was unable to be present, as excessive exhaustion, the result of the fever, kept me confined in bed. The weather down here is charming now, the sun is as warm as summer. I think of you suffering from cold. I would be willing to exchange the warm sun of Beaufort though, for a couple of weeks in the chilly North where there are warm hearts ever ready to welcome me. I am going to enclose to you a copy of a Secession letter which may afford you some amusement.

I have not received either my trunk or sword yet, though they undoubtedly are at Hilton Head, but the express agency is a slow working affair, and I must abide their time patiently. Yesterday was the anniversary of the battle of New Orleans. In the evening the General had a reception, at which many patriotic speeches were made, and a general feeling of jollity prevailed. There is little news to communicate. Your letters come regularly. I have received Hunt's photograph, which is capital. I hope gradually to get the likenesses of the whole family.

There is at present as far as we can learn, a general feeling of depression among the South Carolina troops, which possibly may eventually develop into a Union sentiment. The feeling the soldiers express is: We have no negroes to fight for, while the slave-owners have all taken good care to retire to the interior of the State where they can live in safety. The question is beginning to pass among them, “Why should we stay here to be shot, when those who have caused the war have run away?” This is dangerous talk, and, we are told, officers have great difficulty in maintaining the organization of their Regiments. At least these are stories brought by the negroes who are continually escaping to our lines, and the unanimity of their reports seems to lend the appearance of truth to them. The fact is, the frightful effects of the explosions of the 11 inch shell which some of our gun-boats carry, have produced a great panic among the land forces of South Carolina. Negroes from Charleston report the city in a great fright, the inhabitants making preparation to leave at the sound of the first note of alarm. I hope we may catch old Tyler.¹ It would do me a deal of good to see the traitor sent North to be dealt with properly. There is a strong contrast between the treatment of our prisoners, and that received by the unfortunates who fall into the hands of the “chivalry.” The prisoners we have here are certainly as well treated if not better than our own soldiers. As I see them, on passing their place of confinement, with their legs hanging out of the windows, smoking their pipes, lolling about, enjoying fires when it is chilly, I cannot but think of a poor fellow named Buck, a German in my company and a capital fellow, who was captured at Bull Run and taken prisoner to Richmond. Once he ventured to put his head out of his prison window, and in an instant the guard shot him dead. I remembered too an amiable practice of the chivalrous youth of Richmond, who, when drunk, were in the habit of discharging their pieces from below, sending the bullets through the floor of the prison. This piece of pleasantry they termed “tickling the legs of the Yankees!” Well, we are not barbarians, and the other day a poor fellow whom we took prisoner at the battle of the Coosaw, as he lay grievously wounded, but receiving every kindness and attention at our hands, said: “Ah, there's a mistake somewhere. We think you come here to murder, and burn and destroy.” It will take time, but we believe by making ourselves dreaded in battle, but using kindness to all who fall into our power, even South Carolina may learn the lesson that there is a mistake somewhere.

There, I think I have written a long letter. With much love to all, I remain,

Your affec. son,

Will.

_______________

¹ John Tyler.

SOURCE: William Chittenden Lusk, Editor, War Letters of William Thompson Lusk, p. 112-5

Lieutenant Colonel Charles Fessenden Morse: September 18, 1864

Atlanta, Ga., September 18, 1864.

Yours of the 9th was received to-day. Since my last letter, I have kept pretty busy with the affairs of the post, but nothing new or startling has occurred in my line of duty. Our corps, with the Fourth and the Fourteenth, occupy the works near the city. Howard with the Fifteenth, Sixteenth and Seventeenth, is at East Point, and Schofield with the grand Army of the Ohio, is at Decatur. Troops are in comfortable quarters and leaves of absence and furloughs are being liberally granted. There is just now a ten days' truce for sending families South and the exchange of prisoners.

Before the Chicago Convention, I told you my opinion of McClellan. I am willing to acknowledge that I have changed it greatly since his letter of acceptance. His letter, as you say, was patriotic, and would have suited me if it had refused the nomination; but when he closed by saying that he thought his views expressed those of the Convention, he changed, in my opinion, from being an honest, straightforward soldier, into a politician seeking office.

He knew, as well as we know, that a large part of the Convention was for peace and not for war carried on in any way, and as an honest man he had no business to say what he did. It has always been the boast of the Democratic party that whoever their candidate might be, he had to carry out the principles of the men who elected him. The peace men must have shown their hands plainly, and whatever McClellan may say now to disown their support, they will have a baneful influence upon him, if he is elected.

Colonel Coggswell is commanding this post in a manner which reflects great credit upon him; he stands high with Generals Thomas and Slocum; even Sherman has complimented him, and spoken of the appearance of our regiment. He is, I think, one of the best practical soldiers I know; his chances for promotion are very good; I hope, for the sake of the service, his and my own, that he may get it.

It is altogether a good thing for us that we are here in the city; as I said before, it is all owing to General Slocum. His firm and just rule is felt already throughout the corps; men who have shirked, and, to use an expressive word, “bummed” all through the campaign, are getting snubbed now, while those who have done their duty quietly and faithfully are being noticed.

Sherman is an entirely different style of man. He is a genius and a remarkable one, and is undoubtedly the longest headed, most persistent man, not even excepting Grant, there is in this country, but he is too great a man to be able to go into details. He cares nothing, apparently, for the discipline and military appearance of his troops, or at any rate, leaves that for his subordinates to see to; he cares nothing, either, for doing things through regular channels, but will give his orders helter-skelter, any how; this, of course, is an eccentricity of genius, but it is a very troublesome one at times.

SOURCE: Charles Fessenden Morse, Letters Written During the Civil War, 1861-1865, p. 191-2