[Washington, July
23, 1863]
I have had one
interview with the Secy of War & two with the President. Every one in the
Gove't & many out of it appear to be thinking strongly towards this subject
but as yet it seems likely to be accomplished only by pieces, &, in the
Secy's office there would appear to be lack of well defined system in what has
already been undertaken. The Secy understands that he has an officer to attend
to such subjects but the office does not understand that his instructions
embrace them:—simply the organisation of colored troops:—yet all matters
connected with these organisations in you Dept. are now determined by Ajt.
Genl. Thomas—refered to him as they arrive. His health though better is such
that he is kept away at lighter duty. It would have gratified me could I have
placed before Mr. Stanton a more general & comprehensive view of the facts
in the Dept in regard to these people. He asked me who appointed me to the
charge of these people as if he did [not] know anything had been done for them
save through the Commissioners. He is evidently well disposed towards you.
Bothe interviews with the Prest. were full of interest—the last very lengthy.
He spoke with great freedom of his difficulties, so much so as to charge me
with silence & perhaps as I send this by the customary mail, I had better
omit the details. He remarked that it gratified him to know the observation of
so many facts in your Dept. had suggested plans which agreed in the main with
the outline ideas in his own mind. He is pleased that you have made them so
useful to the army, and that your management of them meets present exigencies
without attempting to determine impossibilities. He has heard that Mr. Dana has
said that you had remarked that you could not have taken Vicksburg had it not
been for the proclamation; but as he was not assured that Mr. Dana had said it
he doubted somewhat whether you made so strong a statement. The order that you
prepared to issue I am confident will give satisfaction here. I think the
President would prefer these people should be called freed-men or freed people
though he is not so particular as Mr. Chase who said to me he would not read a
doccument that had the term contraband in it. It appears several prominent
gentlemen have been directed to gather matter upon the whole subject of the
management of these people & the Prest. has directed me to go to N. York
& see two of them Hon. Messrs. Owen & McKay. Mr. Lincoln with every
body of loyal sentiments is taking great satisfaction in the issue of your
operations. He was full of it, repeated your last despatches, laughed over your
capture of cattle, read his letter to you. He had a map of your operations on a
tripod in his room. Those who made such effort to interfere with you, now are
ashamed to aver it. Mr. Washburne's course in support of you is greatly
commended. Genl. Sherman is being strongly vindicated. At Cincin. I met the two
Societies that have been furnishing us supplies; at Columbus among others Ex
Gov. Dennison, Gov. Todd, Ajt Genl. Hill, Judge Swayne—every where I am unable
to say enough. I hope my visit will not only result in good at W. but in
various ways in other directions—I enclose some of the many straws which indicate
how the wind blows. Hoping your health is good & that your efforts will be
crowned with every success.
[John Eaton Jr.]
SOURCE: John Y.
Simon, Editor, The Papers of Ulysses S.
Grant, Volume 8, p. 343-4
