Davis, Jefferson (1808-1889) to [D.W. Lewis]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05293 Author/Creator: Davis, Jefferson (1808-1889) Place Written: Richmond, Virginia Type: Letter signed Date: 21 September 1863 Pagination: 4 p. ; 25.8 x 19.6 cm. Order a Copy
Discusses his relationship with Robert A. Toombs, his former Secretary of State. Six months earlier Davis had failed to give Toombs a military promotion and he subsequently resigned. Praises Toombs for helping free the south from "A union so odious to our people." Explains that he was reluctant to promote Toombs to Brigadier Admiral because of his concerns in placing a civilian with no field experience in such a high rank. Rebuts the perception that he was biased in favor of officers trained in military academies. Acknowledges Toombs's service in Florida but notes that his name was never submitted by another officer for promotion. Closes by expressing his hopes that he will one day be on better terms with Toombs. [Recipient identified in Rowland Dunbar's Jefferson Davis, Constitutionalist: His Letters, Papers, and Speeches, p.43.]
Richmond, 21 September 1863
My dear Sir:
There is nothing which is not entirely of a public nature in the matter to which you refer and I have no reason for withholding from you the information which seems to be desired by your favor of the 9th inst:
I have for some time been aware and have regretted that Genl. Toombs should have become alienated from me because of my having failed to give him military promotion. Notwithstanding my prepossession in his favor it was not possible for me to gratify what seems to have been his wish.
When General Toombs first requested me to appoint him a Brigadier (he was then Secretary of State) my reluctance to place a civilian in so high a commission [2] without previous experience in the field yielded to several considerations which appeared to justify an exception in his favor. I knew that among some of our people an impression prevailed that I am unduly partial to those officers [who] had received an education at a military academy, and was willing to concede something to that impression though I did not recognize its justice. I also had learned from the late Genl. Thos. S. Jessing that General Toombs had rendered good service in the Florida war as a Captain of Volunteers and gave high praise as a soldier. His abilities as a public man were so distinguished, and his services in the political contest which has freed us from a Union odious to our people had been so signal, that I could not but feel a hope of [3] his displaying in the field qualities to justify my giving him the post he solicited.
This hope was not realized. I observed with regret that while General Toombs superiors were urgent in pressing for promotion other officers whom they reported for distinguished conduct and ability displayed in the field, they never presented his name for promotion to a vacancy. In one case only were his services recommended to my attention and even then the recommendations to fill existed vacancies were in favor of others. You are aware that the Executive is almost exclusively dependent on official reports for a knowledge of the claims of office to promotion. Having in the first instance appointed General Toombs to a high military grade before his capacity to command had been tested, I had gone [4] as far as my sense of duty permitted, and can only regret that he failed to secure from his superiors that appreciation of his ability which would warrant his promotion.
It may be fairly expected that when time shall have soothed the irritation now felt by Genl. Toombs, he will do me justice and no longer attribute to unworthy motives my having selected others for the promotion to which he judged himself entitled.
Very respectfully and truly
your's
Jeffer Davis
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