GDG- ANV corps commanders

[Margaret D. Blough]

Teej,

Interesting.  It confirms what Longstreet said about Lee's concerns re: McLaws.

Regards,

Margaret
-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "Teej Smith" <teej at nc.rr.com> 

> Esteemed GDG Member Contributes: 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> > Esteemed GDG Member Chet Diestel Contributes: 
> 
> 
> 
> > 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 
> 
> 
> 
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