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The Charles P. McIlvaine letters were written in the 18th and 19th century and therefore may contain language that we understand today as harmful or offensive. You may encounter paternalist descriptions of Native Americans, racial slurs, or sexism. For more information, see our policy page.
Description
Passes on information from Dr. Andrews. Rebel strength in the towns and of depradations of our forces.
Date
8-13-1861
Keywords
letter, McIlvaine, Chase, Civil War
Recommended Citation
McIlvaine, Charles Pettit, "Letter to S. P. Chase" (1861). Charles Pettit McIlvaine Letters. 146.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/mcilvaine_letters/146
Rights Statement
Transcript
Cincinnati, August 13, 1861
My dear sir,
I received yesterday the enclosed from an Episcopal Clergyman of high standing in Shepherdstown. It is worth your reading. It opens a view of the Manassas battlefield. In regard to the [estimates] of Rebel loss and ours in men and munitions [ban] you will know what to think. The writer is just what he calls himself as to the Union: he is a New Englandman by birth and education. His accounts of depredations by our troops under Patterson are worthy of the attention of General McClelland. The account of our [?] in Patterson’s [?] victory is quite ridiculous. The estimate of the number of [?] taken has come down from 30 to [?]. The [reaping] machines I have our interpretations for, except as we speak of reaping the fruits of a battle. I send the letter because it is a contribution to the knowledge you desire of the state of things in the Rebel populations, and I have written to the writer what I do with it, though he little expected such a use. I do not however imagine he would object. You will readily judge how for it would be wise to let anyone else see it. I shall not have any of it published as the writer suggests.
I see it stated in the National Intelligence and then denied in our papers and again [?] that a certain Col. [Sherman] of Cincinnati has been to Washington and received the sanction of the government for his going to work to [?] equip [?] a Regiment of Artillery, he being the Col. He has [?] his directions in regard to the [?] of companies. This man [Sherman], I do not much know personally but I am told he is a mere pretender, an Englishman, [?] and [?] to be accounted somebody ignorant of the whole matter of artillery. I have [?] seen him and conversed with him on the subject. I fear it is a great mistake to countenance him.
Your very sincere friend
Charles P. McIlvaine
Please return Dr. Andrew’s papers