Hunt, Henry Jackson (1819-1889) to W. Kalenski
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05561 Author/Creator: Hunt, Henry Jackson (1819-1889) Place Written: Newport, Kentucky Type: Autograph letter signed Date: circa 19 September 1880-1883 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20.2 x 25.2 cm. Order a Copy
Signed "HJH." Date range inferred from Hunt's location. Mentions [Kalenski's?] application for the Ordnance Department. Finds fault with the conclusions, not the facts, of an article on the Peninsula campaign. Defends McClellan's strategy in that campaign, and suggests there was a plot in Washington against the general: "What a misfortune for the cabal in Washn. that McC did not lose the battle of Antietam! They could have shot him then for his audacity in assuming the command of an army usurping the powers of the president and fighting in disobedience of his instructions. But alas! he won the battle and there was nothing for it but to take care that he should win no more battles - and to hang F.J. Porter instead if they could."
Says that letters written by Stanton to Buchanan in 1861, before Lincoln appointed him Secretary of War, have "eaten into his 'divinity.' How thoroughly poor Mr Lincoln was duped - how clearly he recognized that. McC had been interfered with - appeared in 1864, when he forbade interference with Grant - would not listen to the 'Divine Stanton' and wrote to Grant that he did not know what his plans were - did not want to know what they were - but would do all in his power to aid them! - had this been the aspect he showed toward McClellan the [war?] would have closed in 1861…" Remarks on the reversal of Porter's sentence in 1878, and hopes McClellan will someday also be vindicated. Written on Headquarters, Department of the South stationery.
Hunt served as commander, Department of the South 1880-1883.
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