Excellent war-dated ALS, four lightly lined pages on two adjoining sheets, 7.75 x 10, January 23, 1863. Wallace writes from Louisville to J. B. Lossing [actually author/editor/historian B. J. Lossing, 1813–1891, who later wrote a history of the Civil War]. In part: “You know I left you to rejoin my command at Memphis. On reaching Indianapolis, however, nothing would do Gov. Morton but that I should stop and stump certain Districts of the State in favor of enlistments…. It is true I broke through twice by volunteering: Once in command of a regiment and again to defend Cincinnati against Kirby Smith. To be more particular the duties I performed may be summed up—I organized the army that Nelson so carelessly suffered to be annihilated at Richmond, Ky., then organized an army of near seventy thousand men at Covington and Newport, and completed the works at those places, by which Cincinnati was saved from sack; then went to Columbus, and restored order among the paroled prisoners at Camp Chase: was then ordered to report to Gen. Grant for duty, and while en route to Corinth, at Cairo received an order to return to Cincinnati, where I was appointed President of the Commission charged with investigating Gen. Buel[l]’s operations in Kentucky and Tennessee: a duty still in progress, as interminable, too, as it is distasteful. As to this latter, however, you may console yourself—in the volume we are slowly compiling, likely to be as large as the celebrated Report of the Kansas Investigation, you will find voluminous matter from which to write a true history of Gen. Buel[l]’s conduct, management, successes, and failures, as General Commanding the Department and Army of the Ohio. At this time I am not at liberty to give my opinions on the subject: but will do so at the conclusion of the testimony. When you come, in writing your book, to this chapter, you will be greatly interested, I am satisfied, in our report, and in its accompanying maps, telegrams, orders, correspondence, etc…. In time of peace or inactivity nothing would be more instinctive than this investigation: usually whatever is instinctive is pleasant; but as the armies are everywhere in movement, as battles are every day occurrences, as we cannot help continually feeling that the crisis of the great struggle is now upon us, requiring the help of every soldier and general in the field…. This clerical chamber business chafes me; at the same time I cannot see anything in it to justify the exclusive occupation of three Major Generals and two Brig. Generals…. Is your faith in the result of the war strong as ever? Isn’t it shaken some by recent transactions? By the elections? …. The growing discontent in some states?… The hostility manifested against the Emancipation Proclamation?… Do not these things move faith nothing?…”
A distinguished veteran of the Seminole and Mexican Wars, Don Carlos Buell (1818–1898) became a lightning rod for controversy during the Civil War. His failure to pursue Bragg’s withdrawal following the Battle of Perryville in October 1862 was the final straw that led to the investigation in which Wallace participated. Buell, widely perceived as a Confederate sympathizer, was relieved of field command a few weeks later, and retired from military service in 1864. Accompanied by an 1886 letter to Lossing from historian Charles Whittlesey, sending a magazine, as well as an offprint from the Magazine of Western History for July 1885, comprising an article by Whittlesey titled “Wallace at Shiloh,” inscribed by Whittlesey to Lossing.
Intersecting folds (vertical fold to first name) to Wallace letter, and handling wear to offprint, otherwise fine condition. An association of uncommon historical interest! Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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