Lee, John F. (1813-1884) to Henry Jackson Hunt
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02382.085 Author/Creator: Lee, John F. (1813-1884) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 11 February [1871] Pagination: 2 p. ; 20.4 x 12.7 cm. Order a Copy
Declares of courts and commissions organized by Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War 1862-1868, "Couldn't he organize courts & commissions to convict! They would have hung their own innocent mothers." Discussing Senator Charles Sumner, writes "Isn't Sumner a great man! the Master spirit of our age. How he drags along, or kicks up, his recalcitrant radicals... I dare say he is logical & right. I have thought profoundly on it this last week, & have grown wiser than any democrat. If nigger is to be an essential element in our population and government... then we had better mix + amalgamate & have it all homogeneous." Notes cryptically that he will keep the "intrigue of yours with the old virgin secret... It does look bad. I had no idea she would commit you." Relates he has been reading Swinton (possibly William Swinton), and refers to General George H. Thomas. Year inferred from content.
Hunt had served as Chief of Artillery for the Army of the Potomac. After the Civil War, he occupied various military posts. In 1870 and 1871, he served at Fort Adams, Newport, Rhode Island.
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