Cassitt, Charles E. (fl. 1861) to Gideon Pillow
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00798 Author/Creator: Cassitt, Charles E. (fl. 1861) Place Written: Fort Wright, Randolph Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 June 1861 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20 x 12 cm. Order a Copy
Written on patriotic Confederate stationery featuring a portrait of Jefferson Davis. Charles E. Cassitt, Captain of the "Shelby Rifles" under Colonel J. Knox Walker, writes about the incompetance and lying of his commanding office. Noted at bottom: "Unofficial."
Transcript availble.
Unofficial Fort Wright
Randolph, June 14th, '61
Gen. Geo. J. Pillow
Dear General
I half fear that I am taking an unauthorized liberty in thus addressing you, but if I am, I must throw myself on your charity and plead my anxiety and that of my men to take part in the struggles which are to decide the fortunes of my country. When I jointed this regiment, I was made to believe that nine full companies had joined before me. A fraud was perpetrated upon me and the state, for two-thirds of the companies had not their compliment and some visited only on paper. I hoped that the man on whose skill the lives of a thousand brave men depended would be competent to fill his high position - that he would be temperate, energetic, industrious and have some knowledge of tactics; our regiment is commanded by Col. J. Knox Walker. Give me a leader in whose abilities I have confidence and I will follow him to death without a murmur; but then my superior has no more qualifications than many of his privates I cannot keep from growing feverish, restless; but of course I will obey.
Gen. Pillow, I was a stranger in Memphis. I spent what little I had earned to raise and equip my company. I have the finest and largest body of men in the regiment, one hundred and two rank and file; some of my men have fought in Mexico, Nebraska, Texas, California, Nicaragua and in the Crimea. Such men ought to go to battle, not remain inactive behind breastworks and ditches. They are young, hardy and brave, and above the medium size. Can you blame me for desiring a change of position - a change of leaders?
Perhaps your maturer [sic] years may cause you to see things more coolly than I do; but carry yourself back thirty-two or thirty-three years and I feel confident that Gen. Pillow can fully appreciate my feelings. I had rather be a private on the border than a captain in Tennessee. Can you transfer my company to a regiment that will see real, red service? Can you detach my company from my regiment? Can you make my command independent of any regiment? To sum it all up, can you give my company a chance to fight?
If I were to raid a full company and attach it to Col. Walker's regiment, raise it from what little I possess, could you then grant my request?
There are few sacrifices that I and my men are not willing to make in order that we may be ordered north. Hoping to receive an early answer I remain.
Respectfully & sincerely,
Charles E. Cassitt
Captain of the "Shelby Rifles"
2nd Regiment
unofficial
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