The Letters of Samuel Ryan Curtis

Communications to be delivered to Major Generals Fremont and Hunter; a letter from Lincoln—The Letters of Samuel Ryan Curtis

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[copy] Benton Barracks Mo. Oct 29. 1861 A delicate but important duty is devolved on you.1 One of two Communications, one directed to Major General John C. Fremont and the other to Major General Hunter, are to be delivered to these Generals under certain Conditions which are given in a letter from the President of [...]

The Letters of Samuel Ryan Curtis

From Lincoln to Curtis with orders to Fremont—The Letters of Samuel Ryan Curtis

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Executive Mansion Washington Octo. 24th 1861. Brigr Genl. S. R. Curtis1 Dear Sir On receipt of this, with the accompanying inclosures you will take safe, certain, and suitable measures to have the inclosure addressed to Major General Fremont, delivered to him with all reasonable dispatch–subject to these conditions only, that if, when Gen Fremont shall [...]

The Letters of Samuel Ryan Curtis

“In this dilemma I shall do just as near right as my judgment can dictate…”—The Letters of Samuel Ryan Curtis

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Benton Barracks Mo. Oct 22, 1861 General1 I was ordered yesterday by telegraph to march back all the troops I had sent down on the Iron Mountain road, which was no doubt intended as a preliminary for sending them West. The order conveyed also a scathing reproach saying “the whole affair has been grossly exaggerated [...]

The Letters of Samuel Ryan Curtis

If we save Pilot Knob this time, I shall rejoice.—The Letters of Samuel Ryan Curtis

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Head-Quarters Camp of Instruction Benton Barracks, (near St. Louis, Mo.,) Oct 18 1861 General1 I asked by Telegraph a suspension of your order directing the 8th Wisconsin to report at Jeffersonville to Genl Sherman; mainly because General Fremont was draining this point when Thomson was moving against us, to pursue Price2 who was retreating far [...]

The Letters of Samuel Ryan Curtis

To John McCune Esq on “…sentiments of rebellion and insolence towards officers of the United States Government”The Letters of Samuel Ryan Curtis

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Head Quarters Camp of Instruction Benton Barracks Oct 9th 1861 John McCune Esq1 Prest Keokuk & St Louis Packet Co Sir I am informed by an officer of the mail service that you have reproached him for expressing Union sentiments and denouncing secession in the presence of the passengers on your boats. I wish to [...]

The Letters of Samuel Ryan Curtis

“I will do all I can to prevent a laudable zeal from doing injury to either kind of service…”—The Letters of Samuel Ryan Curtis

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Head Quarters Camp of Instruction Benton Barracks (near St. Louis) Oct 7. 1861 Governor H R Gamble1 Dear Sir Yours of the 5th inst. on the subject of conflicting enrollment by States and United States Officers, is just received. When I have been informed of men brought in this camp who had been previously enrolled [...]

The Letters of Samuel Ryan Curtis

“Brigiadier General Samuel R, Curtis Volunteer Service, will extend his Command over the City of St. Louis…”

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[By special order no. 244, H.Q. Western Division, dated Sept, 23, 1861, “Brigiadier General Samuel R, Curtis Volunteer Service, will extend his Command over the City of St. Louis, and will assume the control during the absence of the Commanding General of the Department, of all matters affecting the public interests in and near St. [...]

The Letters of Samuel Ryan Curtis

“…soldiers must be soldiers…”

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Camp of Instruction Benton Barracks Sept 21. 1861 Dr Major I find the skeleton Regiment in camp requires much time and attention. Men come and stay a few days without being mustered in, and slip away from camp cheating the Government out of subsistance and causing insubordination. I have therefore detailed an officer (Lieut Freeman [...]

The Letters of Samuel Ryan Curtis

“Idleness is everywhere pernicious especially in armies, as it leads to vice or stupidity and degrades the profession.”

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Headquarters Camp of Instruction Benton Barracks Mo September 18th 1861 General Orders No. 4 Troops are stationed at this post especially to recruit organize and drill, commanders thereof after the first day (which should be devoted to clearing quarters and accoutrements, and airing tents and clothing) officers and men will be expected to conform to [...]

The Letters of Samuel Ryan Curtis

“I have just been informed that an order has been made out relieving me from this post and I suppose it directs me to report to Head Quarters in St Louis.”

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Jefferson Barracks Mo. Sept. 2, 1861 My dear wife I have received your nice basket of plums and cake by express. The plums are some of them decayed but the major part are fresh and beautiful. The cake too is nice and plump but a little smeared over with plum juice. I will distribute the [...]

The Letters of Samuel Ryan Curtis

The Letters of Samuel Ryan Curtis

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Jefferson Barracks Mo August 16 1861 My dear wife Since my last letter matters have quieted down a little, and I still remain here in Command of the unarmed and undisciplined regiment that remains after I have sent away everything that could be of use for fighting purposes. Henry telegraphed that he would start over [...]

The Letters of Samuel Ryan Curtis

The Letters of Samuel Ryan Curtis

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St Louis Mo. August 5. 1861 My dear wife I arrived here some time last night, and had a very comfortable rest on a good large bed in the Ladies Cabin till 6 ½ Oclock. On opening the mornings papers, I found General Fremont1 had returned to this city yesterday: so I was fortunate in [...]

The Letters of Samuel Ryan Curtis

Dinner with General Scott

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Washington July 26 1861 My dear Wife The best way to keep an account of my “daily walk and conversations” is to write you very often and trust that my letters to you may serve as a continuance of my journal which I can not carry about the country. At ½ past 4 I repaired [...]

The Letters of Samuel Ryan Curtis