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Freemont not capable as a general - McIlvaine makes some suggestions as to the kind of general needed. Hopes they take no more men from Kentucky or Ohio. Beauregard may try and take Lexington. Then what?

Date

9-26-1861

City

letter, McIlvaine, Chase, Civil War

Transcript

Cinc., Sept. 26, 1861

My dear sir,

I am much obliged for your kind [unofficial] recd yesterday. I wish now only to say that in my judgment I that of many with whom I converse here, such as Rev Buchanan &c. the Cabinet are on the right trail as to [Missioner’s] matters. I have been depressed in mind for a long time under the belief that we should learn Fremont’s incapacity for that command, by him [?] disasters. My opinion was based on my brother’s predictions as soon as he was appointed, who [knowable] about him & the general want of confidence in the minds of [?] [?]. He may have great energy, so has a bombshell when exploded, so has [?]. You will find not that he will not do, + may it be before greater [?] shall have come. As soon as I saw that Col. C.F. Smith had been ordered to [Missioner’s] + made a Brigadier, I comforted myself with the idea that it was done with the view of having the right man to take Fremont’s place in case of need or to [replace] his weakness. He should be a Major Gen. & be part in that vast command.

Excuse a Bishop who is not a Major Gen. & don’t let any more Western troops be ordered East. We wait all here, + [?], [anxious]. What if [Beamgard], behind his screen, is sending his western men to Ky. + to take Louisville & Cinc. They can do it now for we have very little organized force, + that unarmed, for the most part.

We pray today for you all at the helm, with all our hearts.

Yours affectionately,

Chas. P. McIlvaine

Letter to S. P. Chase

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