Summary:
Alex H. H. Stuart writes to Confederate Secretary of War Leroy P. Walker in July,
1861, to complain about Michael G. Harman's position of command at Staunton, VA.
Stuart argues that a military officer is needed to properly oversee such an
important rendezvous point for Confederate soldiers. Stuart says that Harman has
alienated army officers and prominent civilians, and alarmed the public by
calling out the militia and sending them to the front without proper provisions
made for defense of the town.
Hon. L. P. WALKER,
Secretary of War:
STAUNTON,
July 20, 1861.
DEAR SIR:
As Staunton has been made one of the places of rendezvous for the troops called into service, I regard it of the highest importance that there should be a military officer of intelligence and character in command of the post. Everything is now in the hands of the quartermaster, M. G. Harman, who is a civilian unacquainted with military law or usages, and who has rendered himself exceedingly obnoxious to officers and soldiers. To-day there was a state of things which threatened an emeute. I was induced to interpose to prevent it, but there is no knowing what may be the consequence if some change is not made. I should be very much gratified if you could make a visit here or send some confidential agent. You would learn things that would surprise you. The officer in command here should be a calm, dignified man, who would possess the confidence of the public. The expenditures at this point are enormous and the public interests would not suffer from being vigilantly looked after. You can scarcely imagine the depth of the feeling occasioned by the call for the militia en masse. Men go to the battle-field with very little alacrity when they feel that they leave their wives and children exposed to horrors to which their own perils are as nothing. The case ought to be modified, or the people may be driven to desperation.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ALEX. H. H. STUART.
Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Volume 51, Serial No. 108, Pages 180, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
