The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-01-12
A RELIC OF THE REvoLU TON
A Letter From Count Pu!eskrs Field
Cfficers to Their Commander.


Cfilcers to Their Commander.
Capt. D. g. Purse has in his possession
what is probably the only copy in existence
Of letter written Jan. 16. ITS, by the
field officers of the American cavalry TO
Count Pulaski, general in command of the
cavalry, which is Of considerable historic
interest and a priceless treasure to the
seeker CT relics of Revolutionary times.
The letter, as is indicated by its contents,
was written by the officers of the various
cavalry regiments under his command in
reply to one received from Gen. Pulaski,
lnquiring the cause of the dissatisfaction
which existed among the officers and men
Of his command. Their reply, which is
given below, states in the plainest, but most
courteous manner. the reason for the dis
satisfaction that existed and which subse-
quently caused the transfer Of Gen. Pu-
laski, by bis own request, to command in
the main army.
The letter is written upon double sheet
of foolscap, yellow and rough with age, but
well preserved. 1t lacks only few days of
being l13 years DID, and must have been pre-
served with great care. IL is Endorsed upon
the back as follows: "a Copy of q Letter
Sent to Gen. Polaskie by the Field Officers
Cavalry, Jan. 10, IT'S"
The letter is reproduced as nearly as posi-
bic in print
The spelling and construction in some
instances are unique, but IL was evidently
the work of man of education and re-
| finement. 1t reads:
TRENTON, Jan. 16. 1873.
| SIR--Your favor of the 16Gh inst. we have
| just received and gladly embrace the oppor-
| tunity, as we'll in compliance with your request
| as from desire to communicate our senti-
| ments on the subject therein contained, Co
| make you this return,
In justice we are bound to approve and
highly applaud your noble and disinterested
conduct ia leaving distant and peaceful cline
for the sake of assisting an injured people in
| maintaining and upholding those liberties for
which you must have so high avalue lis q
tribute OF praise which the brave and meritori-
Gus deserve and which we are bound to ascribe
unto you. We should still be ungrateful did
we omit to mention the bravery and intrepidity
| of conduct of which you have given us such
repeated examples. These are acts which
qualify men for great things, and entitle them
TO esteem and applause.
On the other hand, since you have requested
| our reasons for differing from you in opinion
respecting the regulations of the cavalry, we
| shall offer you cur sentiments on the subject
| with that freedom which demands, and trust
they will be received and peruSed with candor,
and not to be attributed to uubecoming warmth
OF an overheated zeal.
After the brigade OF cavalry was formed we
| were taught to expect much from its operations
by having q gentleman appointed to its chief
command who in Europe had acquired such
fame in arms, and an account of those exploits
had reached this distant shore Whether we
must attribute it to the different modes of
operation, or TO the diversity of opinions peo-
pie or education, between this and your native
| land we know not, but in justice to ourselves we
are bound to declare that our expectations have
not been fully answered. To descend too nicely
to particulars is needless. But in general when
the state OF the army had not called for con-
slant and severe duty, we are sorry to say, our
horse has been so detached, harassed and
fatigued, that when they hav9 been called into
the field OF battle and needed on actual service
they have many Of them been totally unfit to
act, or il abs to appear, too much reduced to
render their country much service or acquire
honor TO their corps. Again, when VIC have
been in the field, too often has it been the case
| that our general has left the brigade almost
without orders and with a small party advanced
| to reconnoiter or perhaps attack the foe. This
| we would rather attribute to a zeal for the ser.
vice than design to do amiSs But still we
must have reflected on what might have been
our situation had our commander been taken oil
fell by the enemy, aud We ignorant of bis dan
ger or the enemy sudden maneuvers. And on
this principle OF your taking such small com
nand yourself, perhaps we can account for oul
never having that which was due to our several
ranks.
That merely your being foreigner should be
an objection to you, God forbid. Your princi
pies as gentleman and disinteres, cd soldier
we are bound 70 revere. But still the impossi
bility of communing freely with your oflicer.
without an interpreter is an Inconvenience great
and Pounds a weighty objection. When we
were moving for winter quarters we hoped tc
have found such conveniences and preparation:
as migat nave enabled US to recruit our horses
and equip our men, but nothing of this has
been experienced. Without covering or forage
our horses have been far from recruiting. anC
we are confident we have not half the numbei
fit for immediate service as when we left the
field after long and fatiguing campaign
What adds to the picture our situation Is not
| likely soon to be remedied, and unless soms
measure can be speedily fallen on to remedy
these evils. as We can foresee nothing but al
almost total dissolution to the cavalry we shall
endeavor to free ourselves from the corps an6
not share in the general ruin. And whom WI
say these things we are authorized to give yol
these as the sentiments Of the officers 10 oul
respective regiments, who. far from any pri
vate or personal dislike to you have thought
proper to make known these things.
We are, moreover, authorized TO add that be.
fore we left headquarters the field officers O
the cavalry waited on his excellency Gen
Washington and gave him their objections u
continuing longer under your command. o.