The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-03-27
General Sibley's Reply TO the Lead
ing Citizens and Business Firms of
st. Paul, Indicating his Acceptance
of the Brigadier Generalship, to
which he Is RenOminated.
ST.. PAUL, March %, 1868.

Oh. AUl>, NliCu iCOO
GENTLEMEN i have the honor to &C
knowledge the receipt of the document
signed by so many of the leading men and
firms in this city, in which you urge me
not to decline denomination Of Brigadier
General, if rendered, as you do not doubt
it will be. Since that was written, tele-
graphic dispatch from the Secretary Of
War has reached me, announcing my re-
Appointment by the President, so that your
prognostications have proved to be correct.
While feel duly grateful for the conf
dence manifested by you in my manage
ment Of military affairs in this District,
and for the kind expressions of regard for
myselfpersonally, it is neverthelesstrue,t that
l rather dreaded than desired to be placed
in position, by the act Of the President,
where | must promptly accept or decline
repeatedly nominated me. 1t has been
neither by my suggestion, nor at my soil
citation, that was originally named for
the post, nor have I since made any effort
to retain it, or to secure a confirmation by
the Senate. Indeed, the deranged state
of my private affairs, which have been al
most totally neglected for many months,
apart from any other consideration, afford
ed a very strong reason against my re-
manning longer in the service.
On the other hand, l recognize the right
of the country to its full extent, to call up
on any one of its citizens to perform a
public duty, at whatever sacrifice to him.
self, and while l feel too much diffidence in
my own abilities, to venture to hope that
can meet the wishes or expectations of
my friends, in career comparatively so
new to me, cannot disregard the general
sentiment of my State, as signitied by the
unanimous resolutions of the Legislature
asking for my confirmation, and by the
representations of numerous private citi-
zens. l shall therefore dispatch to the
military authorities at Washington, my
respectful acceptance of the position to
which the President has generously seen
fit to re-assign me.
1t would not be proper for me to make
known the plans of the contemplated
campaign against the hostile Sioux. But
l can state without any improperly, that
the Major General commanding the De-
partment has given me the most cheering
assurances of support in their prosecution,
and manifests determination to bring
this war with the savages to speedy
conclusion, by the employment of al the
means at his disposal.
The proposed expedition will be tedious
and laborious one to all connected with it,
but with the aid Of the gallant regiments
under my command, mposed Of our own
citizens, all of whom, officers and soldiers
alike, are anxious to take the field, l
humbly trust that enough will be accom-
plished during the coming season, to insure
the frontier against any danger from In
dian forays hereafter, and to relieve entirely
the apprehensions of our citizens.
am, gentlemen, most respectfully,
Your friend and fellow-citizen,
H. H. SIBLEY.
| To Messrs. Thompson, Brother & Co., Charles
| Schaffer, John 8. Prince, &C., &C., &C., st.
Paul, Minnesota.