Mosby, John S. (1833-1916) to William Chapman
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03921.03 Author/Creator: Mosby, John S. (1833-1916) Place Written: S[an] F[rancisco] Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1 November 1899 Pagination: 2 p. + env. Order a Copy
News of friends and family; hopes for November election; and article written for the Times concerning actions of Ulysses S. Grant and Philip Sheridan during the war: "[W]hen Grant telegraphed Sheridan about capturing and corralling my men's wives it would have been a great advantage and promoted the efficiency of command."
with
Dear Willie - 705. Post St. S.F.
I recd. your letter Today & was} Nov: 1st 99
very glad to get it. I was a little}
uneasy about your returning - Matt Fletcher told me that you spoke of going into business in Covington - I hope you will be here long enough before the [Cofter] sails for us to go around a little. Ernest left this morning - for a year's job between here & Ogden. Has been getting $90 a month but expects a raise. Clay is still on the Coast. Ernest introduced me to a very pretty Spanish girl - Miss de la Guerra he knew down the Coast - she lives here now. We will go to see her when you come. It was the first call I have made in about a year - Have not seen Katie since Jany - Sent her Day's letter with account of his visit to Va. Yesterday I sent Joe Bryan a reply to Richard's address in reference to Gen. Grant - I had to steer between two rocky shores - to defend Grant without wounding Dolly & [struck: at the same &] my own men. It was like crossing Niagara on a rope. I think I put a new face on the matter without compromising myself. What Richards said was true - but he did not state the whole truth. I think Sam will laugh at my ironical defense of Phil Sheridan - The truth is the records prove that Phil was a great liar, or, according to his own statement, a murderer - I give him the benefit of the doubt & say he was a great liar. My article will appear in The Times Sunday Nov: 12th - So you [inserted: can] read it before you return. Dolly thought he had discovered a mare's nest when he said Custer had nothing to do with the hanging - Col. Peters wrote me that he thought Dolly's allusion to Gen: Grant uncalled for, & in bad taste considering my relations with Grant: You must be sure to stop at [2] the University & see Peters - Frank Smith - & Mallet. I think you carried a letter East from Goodman, passenger it put of the S.P. - Now Stevens, Manager of the C&O. in Richmond, has done me a good many favors - He gives me an annual pass on the C&O. If you will write to Ben Palmer [struck: he will] & enclose Goodman's letter he will call on Stevens & I am confident he can arrange the best terms for you & also arrange for you to stop in Staunton & Charlottesville. So write to Ben immediately - tell him who you are - & that I told you to write to him - I think you had better also send Ben a letter from the C&O. office at Covington. Who is their attorney there? he might help you. I don't think Johnnie will come here before February; I sent him 2003. Port today. Ben writes that he is doing first rate. Ben Palmer complained that he had written Sam three letters - no answer. Ask Sam if he doesn't [inserted: think] that when Grant telegraphed Sheridan about capturing & corraling my men's wives it wd. have been a great advantage & promoted the efficiency of my command if he had done it - E.g. Josie & Mrs. Jeffries - Grant's order included mothers in law as well as wives - I have no doubt it wd have been a great favor to many of my men if Sheridan [inserted: had] Executed the order - I have been Expecting a letter from Sam about the unveiling - I want the Republicans to carry Kentucky - & the Democrats Ohio - that wd give Mark Hanna & the Philippines a black eye.
My love to your father & mother -
Very truly, Jno: S. Mosby
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