GDG- ANV corps commanders

[Teej Smith]

> Esteemed GDG Member Chet Diestel Contributes:

<Snip>

>  As to Jeb's dead body and command of the ANV cavalry, when the time came 
> the command of the cavalry corps --- for it was a full corps by then ---  
> went to the South Carolinian Wade Hampton and not to Lee's nephew and 
> fellow Virginian Fitzhugh. Hampton was a good horsesoldier, excellent 
> commander and never attended a fish bake on the eve of a battle as far as 
> I know.

    LOL..no agrument there but if Stuart had had his way, Hampton would have 
been working his magic in Mississippi. This post script to a letter written 
to Custis Lee in February1864 might interest you.

"PS: As a postscript to the accompanying letter which is of a more formal 
nature than this, I thought I would enter a little more into details than 
such a letter permitted.

            I allude to the obstacles in the way of my assignment as Lt.Gen'l 
vice Holmes-

            It occurs to me that, there is such a strong popular feeling in 
favor of Price out there that my appt. might do more harm than good to the 
Cause-Is there not danger of a repetition of the Heth business, and my 
rejection by the Senate because of Price?  Is there any assurance that my 
appt would be productive of harmony and thorough co-operation? These are 
serious considerations bearing on the public policy of the measures, but 
which I take it for granted will duly enter into the Presdt's view of the 
Subject.  Again, as Gen'l Lee has done me the honor to mention my name 
favorably in connection with the Command of an Infantry Corps, is it not 
probable that he has reference to one of the Corps in this Army, where I am 
no doubt more favorably known than anywhere else-In this connection might 
not the transfer of one of these Lt. Generals to the command of so important 
a Dept., better accommodate discontent and rivalries out there than the 
appt. of myself ( a new appointment) especially to take that Command. 
Besides according to military usage, it is proper to give a senior an 
independent Command in preference to a Junior & could therefore give no just 
cause of offence to either of these Lt. Generals-Now a few words as regards 
my own Command here-the Cavalry. Hampton is not the man for such a command 
and I know he will not suit Gen'l Lee, nor the peculiar requisites of such a 
station. Hampton is a gallant officer, a nice Gentleman, and has done 
meritorious service, but there you must stop. But he is not the man for such 
a place-I am satisfied he is not content with his present place, he has 
frequently expressed to me the desire to serve in the West, and if there is 
the remotest intention to promote me, it would be a measure highly conducive 
to the public interest to assign him to the Command of the District of the 
Mississippi before my promotion, to operate with his Cavalry & Horse 
Artillery against gun boats.It is a species of warfare which would suit him 
exactly & for which he has peculiar fitness. He would be flattered by such 
an assignment, would render good service & would be in a region of country 
perfectly familiar to him. I feel perfectly confident that he would put a 
stop to the mercantile navigation of the Mississippi. If necessary bring 
S.D. Lee-who is his junior to this Army. Fitz Lee is young, active, of a 
comprehensive grasp, and possesses wonderful faculties for wielding and 
combining analyses, being specially fitted by education & a large experience 
for Cavalry Command. He is as it were the genius of Cavalry (we must making 
stop drinking for the war) and I will guarantee success, wise conceptions 
and brilliant executions. Your father will never apply for Hampton's removal 
or transfer because his son & nephew are immediately affected by it but he 
told me not long ago that he wishes Hampton would go and stay-very 
emphatically-He will wear on and let his hair be whitened more; as he once 
said he owes many of his gray hairs to McLaws-

            This matter requires prompt action, I think the present a very 
favorable opportunity , I desire & have recommended Rooney's promotion, & to 
have in his Div. one of Hampton's old brigades but he (Hampton) will still 
have 3 but I expect him to complain, it will then be a favorable opportunity 
to give him the command of the District of the Mississippi. I see by the 
Yankee papers that steamboats are moving regularly, laden with cotton, on 
the Mississippi. Don't neglect this Postscript for it is very important to 
the Country-I think, certainly as far as it refers to the Cavalry."


Regards,
Teej