Hunt, Henry Jackson (1819-1889) to [Henry Knox Craig]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02382.039 Author/Creator: Hunt, Henry Jackson (1819-1889) Place Written: Eastport, Maine Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 19 March 1868 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20.1 x 25 cm. Order a Copy
Comments on Johnson's impeachment and radical reconstruction. He has been involved with Schenck's bill. Says, "It looks to us here as if the P. [President] would stand a poor chance, that the case is prejudged on party grounds. I hope the evidence will be full and show up many things not expected by the Rads…."
Craig served as Chief of Ordnance 1851-1861. An orphaned native of Detroit, Hunt graduated from West Point in 1839. He took a prominent part in the first campaign of Bull Run, then became chief of artillery of the Washington defenses in charge of training the artillery reserve of the Army of the Potomac. He remained chief of artillery until June 1864, when Grant put him in charge of al siege operations on the Petersburg front. Hunt was brevetted major general of volunteers for his services at Gettysburg. During Reconstruction he was stationed for much of the time in the South, where he earned a reputation for fairness and moderation.
Eastport. March 19.1868
My dear General,
I received your letter of 13.; day before yesterday, Act as you think best about these papers. If the impeachment is pushed to an adverse decision for the president I suppose I must hold on for a long time for justice, unless the fall elections remove the radicals from power. - It looks to us up here as if the P. would stand a poor chance, that the case is prejudged on party grounds. I hope the evidence will be full and show up many things not expected by the radi=
[2] Mary got John's letter, and we hope the mild weather of which he speaks, will soon travel this way. A few days heavy fog has moved much of our snow, and a few days of sun will clear off the ground but we expect more cold weather for our season is a month behind yours.
Mary is trying to write by the boat which leaves in an hour. I expected to write you fully, but the quarter-master is after me, as we have bids to open and arrange at 12 pm - (five minute hence)
Emily has not quite finished that paper on the Pay bill. I will get it off by mail to night I hope and you may receive [3] it one day after [inserted: receiving] this.
Schenck's bill is just received in the A & N Journal.
He has made some changes from my proposition. The most objectionable being with regard to retired officers.
I hope however this may be remedied. I had given up hope on the subject of the bill but I don't think I would have brought it up without [illegible] prospect of passing it. I hope he will the principle once adopted the evil can be rectified I hope.
Keep the paper I send you for yourself. ie to yourself I send it for your perusal and dont wish to anticipate what I may have to say.
I have tried to be [4] fair and just in the bill and the arguments, and I believe my paper has had a favorable effect on the general character of his bill Made it more favorable than it otherwise would have been
It certainly will work to the advantage of Schenck & myself and all other line officers, giving us in effect Comm when in the field into huts and [illegible].
Love to all. All well except Carrey, cold & baby's teeth both slight evils.
in haste
Truly for H. J. Hunt
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