COPPER HEADCASE
Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 4:12 pm
COPPER HEADCASE
To Mr. Henry A. Cram, New York
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Sunday, August 9, 1863.
I note what you report as the secession talk of New York; the same thing has been said in the Times, Tribune and Herald. If the draft is not heartily responded to, the Government had better make up its mind to letting the South go. Don't misunderstand me; I am nothing of a copperhead. I am for a vigorous prosecution of the war as evidenced by my pursuit of Lee.
Up to the present time over twenty regiments have left this army, and recruited by only one hundred and twenty miserable creatures; a dozen of whom were discharged from old regiments for physical disability. Four of them had mental incapacity and delirium tremens the day they joined, presumably having served in the Western armies where alcohol and breakdowns of nerves are not uncommon.
I hear from officers who have been in Washington that the President offered the command of this army to Grant, who declined it, but recommended Sherman. Thus the lion of the hour avoids trying his mettle against competent Confederate generals and soldiery, even though near annihilation after their salutary defeat in Pennsylvania. Should the President determine to bring Sherman to this army, it is to be expected that I shall be sent West. Grant shall be superseded, for I shall require sufficient elevation in rank as to make no doubt in any mind as to the rights of command.
Grant would be a suitable replacement for Halleck, whose abilities were never in question, and whose performance met my full expectation of him, as evidenced by the offensive telegraphs sent me after Gettysburg. As opposed to Halleck’s running of messages on behalf of the President, I have received very handsome letters, from Generals McClellan and Pope. They thoroughly endorse my strategy against Lee, which they both assure me comports with their own analysis of the situation. Having experienced myself the distortions of reality suffered by a commanding general, I really begin to believe that Pope may have been ill-served by some of our eastern officers. However that may be, he remains proof that a fine reputation is more easily gained on the Ohio than on the Potomac.
In relation to fine reputations, I have had Warren made a major general and George’s friend, Colonel Canard, a brigadier. The latter may have cause to regret this honor as it occasions some merriment in the ranks. Instigated by that rascal Kowell, who is rumored to have befriended a certain French woman amongst the followers, the men have taken to yelling out “Duck!” every time Canard rides past. The poor fellow has begun flinching, even though far from any hostile activity, and gives every evidence of an imbalance of the brain. Perhaps the President can be prevailed upon to transfer him to Grant’s army where he shall find his companions more congenial.
To Mr. Henry A. Cram, New York
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Sunday, August 9, 1863.
I note what you report as the secession talk of New York; the same thing has been said in the Times, Tribune and Herald. If the draft is not heartily responded to, the Government had better make up its mind to letting the South go. Don't misunderstand me; I am nothing of a copperhead. I am for a vigorous prosecution of the war as evidenced by my pursuit of Lee.
Up to the present time over twenty regiments have left this army, and recruited by only one hundred and twenty miserable creatures; a dozen of whom were discharged from old regiments for physical disability. Four of them had mental incapacity and delirium tremens the day they joined, presumably having served in the Western armies where alcohol and breakdowns of nerves are not uncommon.
I hear from officers who have been in Washington that the President offered the command of this army to Grant, who declined it, but recommended Sherman. Thus the lion of the hour avoids trying his mettle against competent Confederate generals and soldiery, even though near annihilation after their salutary defeat in Pennsylvania. Should the President determine to bring Sherman to this army, it is to be expected that I shall be sent West. Grant shall be superseded, for I shall require sufficient elevation in rank as to make no doubt in any mind as to the rights of command.
Grant would be a suitable replacement for Halleck, whose abilities were never in question, and whose performance met my full expectation of him, as evidenced by the offensive telegraphs sent me after Gettysburg. As opposed to Halleck’s running of messages on behalf of the President, I have received very handsome letters, from Generals McClellan and Pope. They thoroughly endorse my strategy against Lee, which they both assure me comports with their own analysis of the situation. Having experienced myself the distortions of reality suffered by a commanding general, I really begin to believe that Pope may have been ill-served by some of our eastern officers. However that may be, he remains proof that a fine reputation is more easily gained on the Ohio than on the Potomac.
In relation to fine reputations, I have had Warren made a major general and George’s friend, Colonel Canard, a brigadier. The latter may have cause to regret this honor as it occasions some merriment in the ranks. Instigated by that rascal Kowell, who is rumored to have befriended a certain French woman amongst the followers, the men have taken to yelling out “Duck!” every time Canard rides past. The poor fellow has begun flinching, even though far from any hostile activity, and gives every evidence of an imbalance of the brain. Perhaps the President can be prevailed upon to transfer him to Grant’s army where he shall find his companions more congenial.
