Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-08-15
rrrlY on nos. nrNnY wILsoN.


explanatory OF your Newport speech is re-
cpiycd aud l hnsirn to acknowledge lis re-
crpl. ] confess | was surprised and panied
when | read in the public prints the report Of
your speech, but am gratiticd that you have
discovered your mistake and righted, as tar
you can, the wrong y III did me.
Your remarks tended To fix the conyicionin
the public mind that | was at Centreville
urging on the forward movement OF the army,
but you admit in yonr note that with the eN
cpption ota look which you thought expressed
a dislrust OF your courage you never heard
anything from me of the kind. Surely, you
could not have done SO, for while l am for the
most energetic prosecution OF the war, | am
content to leave the matter in the hands OF
Gen. Scott and the officers OF the army.
But you certainly misntcrpreted my "Iook
at YOU in Gen. McDoweIl's tent. certniuly
had no thought that you were either over eau
tious or Il coward. On the contrary, | shared
with you most painful approximations OF the
result OF the coming battle. L knew fears
were entertained, When left Washington, that
Johnston had out generated Patterson, and
thrown portions OF his command into Manas-
sas ; | knew the secretary of war had returned
in haste to Washington, to hurry forward more
troops | knew reiniOrcements had arrived
during the two preceding days. in large mum
beers from Johnston and from Richmond l
knew something of the strength of the enc
my's position, and l knew what were our
numbers, and feared we had not force enough
to wiring victory from the Toe in his strong Pc.
sition. Anxiety for the result, not idle curlos'
ity, carried me there. Knowing the position
OF affairs | felt oppressed with anxiety for the
result. 1t was n time Tor me to advise men
upon whom rested such great responsibilities.
But to some of my intimate friends 10 Gen.
Diul nh ot Spbn an
others, ] expressed my anxiety and doubt.
| thought | read in the faces of the brave
| leaders of brgades assembled on Saturday
! night, in General McDowelPs tent, to receive
their orders for the battle, the same feeling OF
anxiety and doubt that oppressed me; but |
f line do not Believe there Vas Il / CIVIL WI
| ian at Centcryille who urged a forward move
ment
You say Governor Anthony informed you
that was the first to urge your confirmation
as brigadier general. a few moments before
the adjournment Gov. Seward seLt for me to
come Immediately to The presidents room in
the capitol. promptly obeyed his summons,
and the president expressed his desire that l
should, if possible, get through your contirma.
ton. Neither the president, Mr.. Seward, nor
myself could recall your christian name; so |
FASTENED to the senate, learned your name of
Gov. Anthony, hurried back to the presidents
room, your nomination MAS hastily written,
and took it into the senate, placed it in the
hand OF the presidents private secretary, then
on the floor delivering signed bills and as soon
as it was read | moved its confirmation without
reference. Such, sir, was my action towards
y0u; l would not have acted thus towards one
| had thought cowardly
But while l was thus acting towards you in
Washington you were uttering words in New
Il III.
use to injure me. But let that pass. | have
no memory for wrong your own sense of
justice has righted.
can assure you, however, that | should
have acted as l dad towards you if your New.
port speech had been before me- We are en-
gagged III contest for national existence, a
contest in which l believe we should cheerful
ly give our toll, treasure, and blood. In this
holy contest we should know no parties, no
personal friends or enemies. All we should
ask is fidelity to the country and zeal and Ca.
pacity in its support, | have urged the APP
poiutment Of political aud personal enemies,
men who have ever bitterly denounced me,
men with whom | have not spoken tor years,
aud | have warmly commended their CON
duct, while l have opposed the appointment
OF less efficient personal and political friends.
Officers who tenderly care for their men, sup
ply their wants, and discipline them for the
stern duties of the field, should receive sup.
port and Communications. | had watched your
course from the 24th OF April, when we first
met in Gen. Buffers room al Annapolis, To the
day OF your return home, and saw how care.
1ully you watched over your noble regiment,
and how well you fitted those brave men 10 40
their duty on tie field Of battle. | was glad
OF an opportunity TO aid in placing you in po-
sition where you would continue to serve your
country Yours truly, HENRY WILSON.