Camp Qui Vive
Jany 6th 1862
My Dear
Brother,
.
I received
your kind favor of the 2d inst from Richmond, and was sorry that your
engagements were such that you could not come, for I wanted to see you very
much, and besides, I was satisfied the trip would have resulted to your profit
in the respect indicated in my telegram.
Cousin Blair Dabney has been on a short visit to me but returned
yesterday. His son Chiswell I took on
trial some time ago with the view if he suited me to appoint him Aid – as
P.W.H. to whom I first tendered the place declined. Chiswell is rather young but in other respects suits me as well
as any I could get. I have therefore
nominated him to the Sec of War. I have
also as volunteer aid Wm. E. Towles of La., who is I believe a grand nephew of
Uncle Brown’s. I took him on Cousin May
Johnson Stuart’s recommendation and am very much pleased with her
selection. Don’t give yourself the
slightest uneasiness about J.B.P. for I had not the slightest compunction or
hesitancy about disposing of his application long ago. For the first time in his life he wrote to
me as soon as I became Brigadier, to make him a member of my staff – now on
personal grounds I knew enough of him & the family to wish to avoid all
such complications, besides I was aware of the “incompatibility of temper”
likely to exist between us – besides moreover I knew enough to satisfy
me that he would not be with me a week before he would think that he
ought to be a General & that it was gross outrage in Jeff Davis not
to make him one.
.
David Henry
made application also indirectly, so that on personal grounds alone I
had enough to forever estop any such rash procedure as to appoint either a
member of my military family. But on
patriotic grounds my reasons were stronger.
Neither has raised an arm in defence of his country, and all I can say
is that the the man who when his country is invaded, & his home threatened,
waits for position or office instead of shouldering his musket is totally
unworthy of consideration at my hands – while the noble men who equal to
him at least, in every respect who braved danger, hardship and privation, at
every sacrifice with me from the first, had claims paramount in all respects to
Dowb. Such I rewarded
without solicitation on their part.
Young Dabney is the only Dowb representative I have – his not being in
the war previously was not his fault, as his father & mother have bitterly
opposed it on account of his youth (17), but he had determined to join in the
spring in spite of opposition, and knowing his determination it was at the solicitation
of Uncle Chiswell (our oldest best friend) & Cousin Blair that I concluded
to try him. He is well versed in
tactics – is a young man of excellent disposition, brave, & intelligent. Having initiated him at Drainsville, I was
satisfied of his fitness for the post.
.
I have the
reputation of being very fond of saying “No.” be that as it may, I can safely affirm that I have had but one
rule of action from the first and that was duty. With such a chart to steer by I hope never
to go far wrong. In regard to
Drainsville my report ordered by Congress to be published is the best
vindication – but Gen Johnston approved my conduct and Gen’l Beauregard no
later than yesterday, spoke to me in very complimentary terms of the course I
pursued as well as the report itself.
The newspapers have made a miserable botch of the publication – setting
down 1001 cavalry instead of 150, besides many other grammatical and
orthographical errors, as well as substituting words totally different in
meaning, for those I used in several instances. I mention one, “uncurrent” for “concurrent.”
.
You must
excuse me for enlarging so much on my own affairs, but the fact is I don’t
write often & there are very few to whom I can write on such subjects. I neglected to state the fact that I
disposed of J.B.P.’s claims very summarily, coming out flat footed (Pannill
fashion) (that’s appropos), on the patriotic ground
referred to, but going no farther on the principle that one reason is a good
enough provided it is a good reason.
So that J.B.P.’s ambition will never disturb my slumber.
.
I wrote to
Mary Bell the other day, but received a 2nd letter from her the day
after Mine left. The box the joint
contribution of those so dear to me will be prized and relished I assure you,
as well as a splendid cheese which I received & demolished long ago. Butter & substantial eatables will
always be acceptable, I assure you. I
hope you will yet give us a visit. You
will like Gen Jo. Johnston very much – he is in capacity head & shoulders
above every General in the Southern Confederacy, and I regret exceedingly to
see such a misconception of his merits in the masses. His report & Beauregard’s if ever published will vindicate
his claims as the master spirit of the war – tho Beauregard is next. With the profoundest personal regard for
Genl Lee – he has disappointed me as a General. There may be combined movements here & at Evansport in a few
days by the enemy – but no indication yet in front. Yours truly J.E.B.S.
.
I am very
grateful to you for your kind offer in the P.S. of your letter. I will not need money myself, but should I
be soon cut off, my family will need assistance till the amount
confiscated in St. Louis can be recovered from a court of sequestration.
J.E.B.S.