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Field name |
Value |
Collection Reference Number
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GLC04385.04
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From Archive Folder
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Unassociated Civil War Documents 1865
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Title
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Ambrose Everett Burnside to George William Curtis thanks Curtis for a congratulatory letter he recently sent and also alludes to the Battle of the Crater debacle
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Date
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2 March 1865
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Author
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Burnside, Ambrose Everett (1824-1881)
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Document Type
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Correspondence
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Content Description
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Thanks Curtis for a congratulatory letter he recently sent. Notes that his reply was delayed due to the publication of a court proceeding (possibly related to the Battle of the Crater debacle). Defends his actions, and criticizes General George Meade, who had accused Burnside of misconduct following the Crater. Writes, "It will all come right in the end- The temporary, or even permanent disgrace of a General officer is of small importance compared with the great harm that might result from a quarrel among General officers. I sincerely thank you for your kind friendship, which I value all the more because I know it comes from a true loyal heart." Notes that Mrs. Burnside sends her regards.
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Subjects
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Civil War Military History Union General Union Forces Battle Military Law Friendship
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People
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Burnside, Ambrose Everett (1824-1881) Curtis, George William (1824-1892) Dodge, Grenville Mellen (1831-1916) Osterhaus, Peter Joseph (1823-1917) Meade, George Gordon (1815-1872)
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Place written
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Providence, Rhode Island
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Theme
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The American Civil War; Law
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Sub-collection
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Papers and Images of the American Civil War
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Additional Information
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Curtis was a noted author, orator, and political figure from New York. He served on the editorial staff of the New York Tribune, wrote for Harper's Monthly, and was active in Republican party politics.
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Copyright
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The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
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Module
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Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945
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Transcript
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Show/hide Providence Mar. 2d/65 My dear Friend I intended to thank you for your kind letter of congratulation the day after I received [inserted: it] but learning accidently that the report of Hancock's court was to [inserted: be] made public I concluded to delay - he President has sent the proceedings to the Senate, and they have been made public - Upon the face of the finding I stand condemned - It is hard to bear, but I hope to keep quiet, and hope my friends [inserted: will] - As I wrote to one of my staff officers this morning, let the finding be as it is, we know that I did not disobey orders in formation of assaulting columns, that I changed my proposed formation to sent Meade's orders; that each division had attached to it permanently a regiment [struck: of] [inserted: to act as] engineer troops, and working parties; that I had no engineer officers to put in charge of these regiments; [2] that I did send with each division one of my best staff officers; that the abattis could not have been removed, nor could the parapits have been [strikeout] cut down without attracting the attention of the enemy, [inserted: thus giving him notice of our intended assault -], and that Genl Meade expressly declined to give me control of the supporting columns - In addition to all this Genl Meade was not present at the fight[struck: ;] and the court was composed of officers who commanded troops on the [struck: right] immediate right and left - The Judge Advocate was Genl Meade's Inspector Genl - I recall these facts to you because I know you [struck: will] feel [inserted: an] interest in the matter - It will all come right in the end - The temporary, or even permanent disgrace of one general officer is of small importance compared with [inserted: the] great harm that might result from a quarrel among several officers - I sincerely thank you for your [3] kind friendship, which I value all the more because I know it comes from a true loyal heart - We make occasional visits to your delightful cousin, Mrs. Goddard, and her good husband, and always have a "nice time"- Miss Kate is in New York, as I suppose you know - Mrs. Burnside joins me in kindest regards - Wishing you and yours health happiness and success I remain Sincerely your friend A.E.Burnside George William Curtis Esq. } North Shore } Staten Island }
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