Steele, Frederick, 1819-1868 to Joseph Rowe Smith
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00332 Author/Creator: Steele, Frederick, 1819-1868 Place Written: Barrancas, Florida Type: Autograph letter signed Date: March 13, 1865 Pagination: 7 p. : docket ; 20.4 x 12.8 cm. Order a Copy
Union General Steele discusses mutual acquaintances with Smith, a doctor. Referring to General John Parker Hawkins, states "the only officer of the old Army about me is Genl. Hawkins, Mrs Canby's brother. He was Lt. in my Company where I was Capt. in the old [second], and is a warm friend of mine. He is the Commander of a Negro Division which has been assigned to my command. They are well armed & equipped and better drilled than most of the white troops." Discusses the appointments of A.J. [General Andrew Jackson] Smith, General [Edward Richard Sprigg] Canby, and [General Gordon] Granger. Relates his tentative appointment to command a corps. States that he currently commands roughly 12,000 troops near Pensacola Bay, Florida. Refers to the movements of Union Generals [Thomas John] Lucas and Christopher Columbus Andrews. Discusses other officers' disappointment that he was not appointed to the 13th Corps. States "It is my opinion that A. J. Smith will not retain command of a Corps long. He has no discipline and is never sober, judging from what I have seen & heard. I am confident that Sherman would never have given him a Corps from what I have heard him say."
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