Washington sentinel., 1855-03-13
WASHINGTON, March s, 1855
To his Excellency the PRESIDENT.


To his Excellency the PRESIDENT.
Sir: respectfully beg leave to decline the
appointment Of major of cavalry, and briefly
to state some of the reasons that govern me in
doing so.
thought, and still think, civilians had a
right to. expect some Of the appointments as
field officers of the new regiments, and / be.
lieve Congress would not have passed the bill
raising them had it been known that all the
appointments Of high grade we're to be made
from the army, with but one single exception
Out of all the gallant men who led our troops
to battle and to victory in Mexico surely some
could have been found competent and worthy
TO command regiment or battalion. Nor
was the increase Of the army, as it seems to me-
made especially to benefit those who we're al.
ready in the service. In making the appoint.
ments one of these views appears to have
been entertained, either Of which would place
me in an awkward position. Under the latter
view have no claims, not being in the army,
and by my acceptance Of the proffered ap.
pointment under the former it would be say.
ing to my gallant countrymen, / alone am
worthy Of more than a captaincy. This su.
periority / do not claim, but, on the con-
trary, believe there are many who would not
only have been good appointments, but would
have rendered eminent service against the
Indians in the cavalry regiments, which are
created for that particular duty. Ifthere had
been even three or four field officers made from
civilians my position would have been less OBJ.
jectionable. The army would have at once
conceded there was something due to the coun-
try, and that something had been given and OF
right belonged to those appointed, and no jeal.
ousy or bad feeling could have arisen. How
different from this would be my position were /
to accept. Some Of my subordinates in rank
might look upon me as an intruder, occupying
position that they were better entitled TO.
Nor would il be strange, under existing circum.
stances, for such views TO be entertained when
it is recolected that out Of sixteen field officers
! alone come from the citizens, thereby giving
the officers Of the army the right to infer tha,
they have better claims to hoseappointments
/ am proud to say that the most friendly re-
lations have ever existed between the officers
Of the regular army and myself wherever we
have met, whether in rough conflict with the
enemy or in the peaceful walks Of quiet life
On no account would / see it disturbed. War
may again come upon our country, and ] again
have the pleasure Of seeing them in the field
IL so, wish TO meet them not only as brothers
in arms, but also in feeling. Entertaining
these views, it would be inconsistent in me tc
accept the appointment. To do so would be
a contradiction of all the opinions have uni
formly held, and think that il Congress shall
again at any time increase the army by crea
ting additional regiments they will carefully
provide for the protection Of the equal rights O
citizens in civil life to fill the new. military off
ces Of whatever grade.
have the honor to be, very respectfully
your obedient servant,
BEN. McCULLOCH.