The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1884-12-26
JEFFERSON DAYS. LETTER.


That Written to Cor. Vance the Second Year
of the Var.
In reference to the recent controversy be-
tween Gen Sherman and Jefferson Davis in
which the former charged the latter with hay
ing threatened to force certain states to re-
main in the confederacy, it has been stated
that the Davis letter containing this threat
was written to Gov Vance. now United States
senator, in reply to his letter TO President
Davis, of October %, 1872. 1t has been stated
also that the letter of Davis had been destroy
ed. This is mistake. The letter is at
Raleigh, and is now in possession of gentle
man of that place. IL Is as follows: :, 500,
RICHMOND, VA, November ii, 1862.
To His Excellancy Governor Vance, Raleigh,
N C.-Dear Sir: have the honor to acknowl-
edge yours of the 18th ult and regret the dis
appointment TO which some of the recruiss of
North Carolina have been subjected. | con-
cur with you as to the policy of allowing the
conscripts. as far as the state of the service
will permit. TO select the companies and regi-
ments in which they are TO serve. The right
secured by law of the volunteer to select his
own company was lost, it is true. by enroll
ments, but the policy was so obvious
of associating men who would best har-
monte with each other that 1t was my
purpose to continue the privilege be-
yond the limit fixed by law. The danger to
the coast of North Carolina and our inability
to draw troops from the army of Northern
Virginia rendered it proper that the greatest
eyertiOn should be made Immediately to NIL
ND the regiments in General French's COM
mand but this did not interfere with allow
ing the conscripts to select among those regi-
ments the one to which they would be as
signed, so long as vacancies existed in the
companies chosen. and that expected would
have been done. / will send your letter to
the war department with copy of this reply
to YOU and hope for the future that there will
be no ground for dissatisfaction and that as
far as feasible. the disappointment 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 the public defense, and trust
that there will always be such co-ntelligence
and accordance as will enable us to
cooperate for the public good. The con-
script act has not been popular anywhere out
of the army. There as you are aware, II serves
to check the discomfort which resulted from
retaining the twelve months men beyond the
term of their original engagement, and was
fairly regarded ms a measure equitably TO dis-
tribute the burden of the public defense, nut
the state authorities have nowhere offered
any opposition to its execution or witnnelu
their aid except on the state OF Georgia ana
SO far MS the cadets of the military institute
are concerned in the state OF Virginia, shall
endeayor by judicial decision to settle the
question raised in those two states, ana In tine
meantime have been cheered by the evil
dence of a popular sentiment when supports
any measure necessary TO protect our coun-
try and secure our political inuepenuence
Like Yourself | hoped that the party distinc-
tions which existed at n former time, would
be buried In the graves or the gallant men
right, and that we should all, as band OF
brothers, strike for the inheritance our 1ath-
ers left rs With sincere regards, am, re-
spcctflllly and truly, JEfFERSON DAVIS.