West, Lewis H., 1829-? to Weir
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03836.35 Author/Creator: West, Lewis H., 1829-? Place Written: Aboard USS "Alabama" at Port Royal, South Carolina Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 13 May 1862 Pagination: 6 p. : docket ; Height: 24.6 cm, Width: 19.7 cm Order a Copy
References his friend's letter of 3 April. References Farragut and Porter's running of the forts below New Orleans. Tells the story of a ship that snuck past him. Tells of other run-ins while on blockading duty. Relates a conversation he had with a captured Confederate blockade runner while his ship was recoaling. Talks for 2 pages on General McClellan, mostly in a positive vein. Says the politicians and "crazy abolitionists of the Horace Greely school" are the only ones against him. Mentions General David Hunter and says "He has issued a proclamation recently, freeing all the slaves in South Carolina Georgia and Florida and is about raising two black regiments." Goes on to say "It is difficult to see why this should be done now when every thing indicates a favorable termination of the war. I presume it is intended to use them for garrison duty. The army officers generally are disgusted and say that rather than permit themselves to be made the tools of the abolitionists they will resign. It is just the same as employing Indians in war, and has not even the excuse of expediency, as we are more than a match for the enemy without using them." Since he has so much money due to him and nothing to do with it, asks that Weir would get him about 500 cigars and send them to him.
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