Steele, Frederick (1819-1868) to Joseph Rowe Smith
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
A high-resolution version of this object is available for registered users. LOG IN
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00332 Author/Creator: Steele, Frederick (1819-1868) Place Written: Barrancas, Florida Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 13 March 1865 Pagination: 7 p. : docket ; 20.4 x 12.8 cm. Order a Copy
Union General Steele discusses mutual acquaintances with Smith, a doctor. Referring to General John Parker Hawkins, states "the only officer of the old Army about me is Genl. Hawkins, Mrs Canby's brother. He was Lt. in my Company where I was Capt. in the old [second], and is a warm friend of mine. He is the Commander of a Negro Division which has been assigned to my command. They are well armed & equipped and better drilled than most of the white troops." Discusses the appointments of A.J. [General Andrew Jackson] Smith, General [Edward Richard Sprigg] Canby, and [General Gordon] Granger. Relates his tentative appointment to command a corps. States that he currently commands roughly 12,000 troops near Pensacola Bay, Florida. Refers to the movements of Union Generals [Thomas John] Lucas and Christopher Columbus Andrews. Discusses other officers' disappointment that he was not appointed to the 13th Corps. States "It is my opinion that A. J. Smith will not retain command of a Corps long. He has no discipline and is never sober, judging from what I have seen & heard. I am confident that Sherman would never have given him a Corps from what I have heard him say."
Frederick Steele was a Union general during the Civil War, fighting largely in Arkansas. John Parker Hawkins was a Union general who fought primarily in Alabama. Andrew Jackson Smith was another Union general who distinguished himself during the Battle of Nashville. General Edward Canby fought in the Mexican War, for the Union in the Civil War, and was killed by Indians of the Modoc tribe in Oregon during peace negotiations. General Gordon Granger also served the Union, winning fame for his actions during the Battle of Chickamauga, where he reinforced Union regiments, though Confederate forces eventually won. John Parker Hawkins was a Union general who fought primarily in Alabama. From 1863 to 1864 he was in command of a brigade of colored troops and the District of Northeastern Louisiana. In February 1864, Hawkins took command of the 1st Division, U.S. Colored Troops (USCT) in the Army of Tennessee and later in the year he took command of the 4th Division USCT.
From Maj. Genl F. Steele
U.S.A
Barrancas Florida
March 13th 1865
Dr J. R. Smith
U. S. A.
Dear Doctor:
While at Kenner La. I wrote you and enclosed a letter to my little [struck: friend] friend Miss Annie. I have not heard from you since, directly, but have heard from Miss Annie that you delivered the letter, for which I am much obliged. As you have your family with you I presume you do not regret the good times we used to have so much as some of my solitary friends who write me. We have no conviviality here and since I have completed [2] the review and inspection of my troops, I have commenced to pay my old debts to my correspondents. By the last mail I received two letters from Wheeler, which were very acceptable. I miss you all very much, and hope that the time may soon come when we shall serve together again. Lacey is the only one of my old staff left, and the only officer of the old Army about me is Genl. Hawkins, Mrs. Canby's brother. He was Lt. in my Company when I was Capt. in the old second, and is a warm friend of mine. He is the Commander of a Negro Division which has been assigned to my command. They are well armed & equipped and better drilled than most [3] of the white troops. Hawkins is quite sure they will fight well - indeed several of the Regiments have been tried. A. J. Smith speeks highly of them. This is however not the command which Genl. Canby promised me and actually put me to organizing, as you already know. The "Reserve" [struck: was] was made the 13th. Corps & Granger assigned to it by Genl. Canby for the reason he says that he ranks me as a Major Genl, and that he received a dispatch from Halleck telling him to assign A. J. Smith to the Corps which he had intended to give Granger. The latter gentleman told me the other day that in his opinion Grant would scratch out his name and put mine in its [4] place, but if he does this, it will be in oposition to Canby. Christensen and Canby both told me that Canby had written a strong letter to Washington recommending me for one of The Corps in this mil. Division. Canby told me that there was not an officer in the Divis.ion whom he had more confidence than he had in me, and that he was very much disappointed in not being able to carry out his plans in giving me a Corps. He offered to give me South Alabama & West Florida, which I declined, remarking that nothing but a command in the Field would suit me. He then told me that he would give me a separate Column to move from Penascola Bay - something over 12000 strong. [5]
That is the command to which I have been assigned, and I regard it as a much better one than the Dept. of Arkansas. I can turn out ten thousand Inf. in line now, and expect soon to take the field with more, besides Artillery & Cavalry. There are several Regiments of Cavalry here now, and Genl. Lucu's Brigade is under orders to report here. Genl. Andrews who was at Devall's Bluff commands a Division under me, and is now at Penascola with two Brigades, two Batteries & a small Cavalry force. My not being assigned to the 13th Corps caused a considerable talk and dissatisfaction as [6] I am informed by the officers. The old army officers, I believe without an exception, say that I should have had it - the navy officers do, but I suppose that Genl. Canby knows beter than any of them. I shall endeavor to do something with the command to which he has assigned me, if I am allowed. From what Green writes me I think Pope must have applied for me; but I do not believe that I shall be ordered to report to him. It is my opinion that A. J. Smith will not retain command of a Corps long. He has no discipline and is never sober, judging from what I have seen & heard. I am confident that Sherman would never have given him a Corps from what [7] I have heard him say. Lacy wishes me to get ordered to Sherman. He has said all the time, and says now, that Canby will never do the fair thing with me. He certainly treats me with great consideration to my face and I can not believe him guilty of duplicity. Christensen is a very smart fellow, and I am quite well pleased with him since I became acquainted with him.
Please remember me to all my friends. I have not the pleasure of Mrs. Smith's acquaintance but hope to meet her some day in the old army. I will send you some pictures of my Head Quarters at Kenner with Cap, Seigel, & Heindman in the foreground. Very truly yours
F. Steele
[docket]
Genl Fred Steele
March 13th 1865
Regarding his command
Genl Canby & c &c
Major Gen. Steele
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.