The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1884-12-15
= EJEFF,s LETTER


1 Il s.
CncAGo, Dec. li.-A Raleigh, N. c.,
special says: In reference to the recent
controversy between Gen. Sherman md
Jefferson Davis, in which the former
charged the latter with having threatened
to forco certain States to remain in tho
Confcderacy, 1t has been stated that Davis
letter containing this threat was written
TO Governor Vance now United States
Senator, In reply to his letter 10 President
Davis OF October 20, 1852. II hns been
stated also that the letter OF Davis had
been destroyed. This is mistake. The
letter is here, and Is now In possession OF
gentleman Of Raleigh. 1t is as follows:
e; RICHMOND, VA, Nov. II, 1902. /
To His Ercellency, Coz. Vance, Rategh, NC.
DEAR Sln:-1 have the honor 10 ac-
knowledge yours Of the 95th ult, and re-
gret tho disappointment to which some Of
the recruits Of North Carolinn have been
subjected. concur with you as to tho
policy allowing the conscript, as far rs
State service will permit, to select the
companies and regiments in which they
are to serve. The right secured by law 1of
the volunteer to select his own COM
pany was lost, it. is true, by
enrollmcnts, but the policy was 20 obvious
Of associating men together who would
best harmonizo with each other that 1t
was my purpose to continue tho privilege
beyond the limit fixed by law. The dam
ger TO the coast OF North Carolina, and
our inability to draw troops from the
Army OF Northern Virginia, rendered it
proper that the greatest exertion should
be made immediately to fill up
regiments in General French's command,
but this did not interfere with allowing
conscripts toselect among those fSAitnents
ono 10 which they would be assigned, 80
long US vacancies existed in companies
chosen, and that I expected would have
been done. l will send your letter 10 the
Wan, Department with copy Of my reply
to you, and hope for future there will be
no ground for dissatisfaction, and that, rs
lar rs feasible, disappointments to which
you refer may be corrected by transfer.
feel grateful to you for the cordial
manner in which you have sustained
every proposition, connected with public
defense, and trust there will always be
such co-intelligence and accordanceas will
enable u.s. 10 cooperate for the public
good. The conscript act has not been
popular anywhere out Of the army.
There, rs you arc aware, it serves
to check discomfort which resulted
from retaining twelve months men
beyond the term OF their original engage
ment and was fairly regarded us measure
cquitably to distribute the burden OF
public defense, but the State authorities
have nowhere offered any opposition to
its execution or withheld their aid except
in the State of Georgia, and so far us
cadets Of military institutes me con-
cerned in the State OF Virginia, l |
shall lendeavor by judicial decision TO settle |
the question raised in these two States
and in the meantime have been chcered
by the evidence Of popular sentiment,
which supports any measure necessary to |
protect our country and secure our politi.
cal independence. Like yourself l |
have hoped that party distinc-
tions which existed at former
times would be buried in the graves OF the
gallant men who have fallen in defense of
their birthright and that we should ALL MS
q band Of brothers, strike for the inheri-
tance our fathers left us. With sincere
regard, am respectfully and truly,
-JErrERsOS DAVIS.