Washington, April 4, 1864.
. . . I have written you before to-day and mentioned in my
letter doubts of my confirmation, which doubts still exist in my mind, but knowing
your desire to see and hear everything good of me, in the opinions of my
friends I send you a letter from the Honorable E. B. Washburne to me, and a
copy of one written by General Grant to the Honorable H. Wilson, Chairman of
the Senate Military Committee. These letters were both written without request
on my part. The former shows friendship for me personally, I cannot fail to
appreciate, and the latter a confidence in me I scarcely could have hoped for.
This letter of General Grant's you may copy in your own hand and send to your
parents if you wish. Preserve the copy with care, however, for our children. A
higher testimonial I would not, could not have. I will add that the Secretary
of War says I must be confirmed. The only question is, I am a staff officer,
which he says must not be made an objection in my case . . . The General Wilson
mentioned in Mr. Washburne's letter is Senator Wilson and not our General
Wilson. . . .
SOURCE: James H. Wilson, The Life of John A. Rawlins,
p. 410-1
