Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-01-14
Letter of Col. Aston.

The following letter from Lieut. Col. Aston explains
that portion of his letter to Hon. A. G. MagrAtb which
gave offence TO the Missouri ms who are in our SERVICE
and elected at the time the severe comments Of tbs
paper. We are glad to receive the amende, and take
pleasure in publishing it. not only in justice to DOL
Aston but also for the satisfaction of Missourians
RrcHEOSD, Va, 18Th JAn'y, 1864.
Rev W. II. HopsOn, ID. ID.
DFAR SlR-I regret to learn as do through you,
that some of our friends from Missouri have miscon'
ceved passage that occurred in private letter winch
wrote to my friend Hon. A G. Aagrath, OF Charleston,
in November last which, at the solicitation OF several
friends given to the public Besides this miscon-
ception still more regret to learn that few have
been led to believe General Morgan entertains the OBJ
fashionable sentiments which that letter is supposed to
contain, becauee am Aduant on his stan, and they
suppose me to reflect his views.
la that letter simply stated that my opinion mot
that of another at the time of the breaking up OF the
old Union, was that it would end in the formation
of several Confederacies that then thought it likely
one would be formed Of the New England States, one
of the Middle States including haryland one of the
Southern States, including Kentucky; and one oil the
North Western States to which, then thought it proba-
bic that Missouri would attach herself TO IL with
me- at the time altogether question of boundaries
This gave as an opinion which | had entertained at
the time of Secession Whether it reasonable or
well founded opinion do not propose here TO discuss
will only say distinctly that it was my oWn opinion,
and that referred to it as such, in my letter to Judge
Magrath.
But allow me here to say that no one in the Oonfeder
ate States has more lively appreciation OF the import
ance of Missouri to than have and no one, even
from that State is willing to do more than am to re-
deem her down-trodden people from the thraldom OF
Yankee despotism aad tyranny. The soldiers from that
State in our army among the braveet aud best that
have taken up in the sacred cause Of the South
The gallant sons of Missouri Kentucky aud Mary land
who have been driven from their homes for their honest
devotion to principle who have voluntarily left all
they had on earth to fight In the ranks OF those who
contend for liberty Southern rights and Southern honor
are among The bravest nobl6st and truest oil earth
Their blood has enriched soil on every battle field
Gratitude 10 them s engraven every Southern cart,
and their memories and heroic deeds will be ershrined
aud preserved forever among the most sacred recoee
lions and gores of this angunary struggle for all that
is dear TO honest patriots and freemen. No one more
highly esteems the valuable services aud worth of Mis-
sour ans in this contest and the necessity of securing
that State to the Uohfederacy than do.
resigned the Office Of Assistant Adjutant General
in MergSn's command on the 24th November 1862, in
favor of gallant Mssourian Captain w. NJ hageni5,
and only resumed the position temporarily, on the IN
fortunate death OF that brave and useful officer and
soldier being detached from my regiment for that pur-
pose.
trust this disclaimer will be sufficient to disabuse the
mind Of any one who may have been led to suppose
that either mys If or General Morgan entertained any
other than the kudest feelings and best wishes towards
the State of Missouri or her gallant sons, who, like
himself are exilcd their State overrun, their property
destroyed aud are in the field fighting for the dearest
interests that ever prompted brave people to unEheaIh
their swords
Very respectfully
Your obedent servant
Il. A. ALsToN,
Lieut. Col. p. A. U. S.