signed No binding
1861 · Washington
by THOMAS EWING, JR
Washington, 1861. No binding. Fine. Autograph Letter Signed, to Thomas Ewing, his father. Washington, May 22, 1861. Written in pencil. 6 pp., 4 7/8 x 7 3/4 in. ""Genl Scott is in bad humor with the administration for appointing Reeder Brig Genl in regular army ... We have the idea he will not favor Cump's appt, except as Colonel...""Ewing informs his father of political machinations in Washington and early Civil War plans and appointments. He painstakingly weighs the chances of his foster brother (and brother-in-law), William T. ""Cump"" Sherman, obtaining a general's commission. He also offers a sober analysis of the relative strengths of the Union and Confederate armies in the Eastern theater. ""The general impression is the first battle, after Pickens, will be at Norfolk. The Govt. is not ready. Genl Scott says Genl Impatience is the only opposing General he fears. At present, it is plain the enemy can put man for man in the field anywhere in eastern Virginia with us."" Complete TranscriptWashington May 22d 1861Dear Father I have been laid up for several days with a swollen knee joint (sub acute sinovetis) - My 15 nights campaigning resulted in a severe cold of which this attack is the climax. I shall probably have to keep to the house for a week before my knee is fully well - absolute rest of the joint being necessary to speedy cure. I have taken to bed, though as well in all other respects as ever. I thought Cump would advise you as to the movements here in his behalf & their probable result. As I have written him requesting [2] and supposed you were there until I got a letter from there a few days ago. I have been, either with John or Charles Thomson, at different times, the President & pretty near all the Cabinet & Genl. Scott. The question as to his appointment to place of Brig Genl or that of Qr Master Genl. (both of equal grade) in the regular army has been before the Cabinet twice & was yesterday refused to Genl Scott & the Secy of War, & will be by them determined very soon - probably in a day or two. Genl. Scott is in very bad humor with the Administration [3] for appointing Reeder Brig Genl in regular army: & for neglecting to consult him in other matters. We all have the idea that he will not favor Cumps appt., except as Colonel, for which he has him down on his roll of proposed recommendations: & that he wants Anderson for Brig Genl All the principal officers here, save Genl Scott, are heartily for Cump for Brig Genl or Qr Mr Genl - The old Genl however always speaks of him in the highest terms of praise- I am sorry to say there is a doubt with some of the Cabinet whether Cump sufficiently sympathizes with the Gov. to make his appt. [4] to so high a place as Brig Genl exactly right- his declination of the place of chief clerk of War Dept to be billowed by plea of apt Secy, so handsomely & so warmly urged on him by the President & Cabinet, hurt his standing - Blair spoke of it in Cabinet with considerable feeling. One thing is certain - Cump will either be Brig or Qr Master Genl - or be Colonel of a 2200 Regt - I will advise you at once when the matter is settled- My affair has been dragging through, slowly, being to stand examination in all its shapes from Secy & Prest - The form of mortgage [5] and bonds, after being before the Prest for a week is at last approved - unless there is strong opposition from the Indians in shape of protests gotten up by the new agent (which I wouldn't fear) I will have the $300,000 paid with the Treasury & invested in our bonds in a week - I will four or five days thereafter start for Ohio & Kansas. The general impression is the first battle, after Pickens, will be at Norfolk. The Govt. is not ready. Genl [6] Scott says Genl Impatience is the only opposing General he fears. At present, it is plain the enemy can put man for man in the field anywhere in eastern Virginia with us. I doubt very much if there is a battle in Virginia except at Pickens for a full month or more - I am sincerel... (See website for full description) (Inventory #: 21772)