Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-21
FAITH In GENERAL SCOTT
Letter Written in 1851 Shows How
Union Relied on Him.
OMAHA MAN HAS THE EPISTLE
n. l.. Chadwick Father Prophesied
that Old Mexican war Veteran
would Lead Federal Troops
TO victory.

II. l.. Chadwick, "a Arlington block,
Omaha, has a letter dated Washington,
May "a. 1851, which was written by his
father, Samuel Chadwick, to a friend. e. s.
Moore, Three Rivers, Mich, giving hin
a description of conditions at the seat OF
government at that time. about the time
Of the beginning Of the civil war, and tell
ing rather impressively of the tragic death
of Colonel Ellsworth. Mr.. Chadwick was
then in the government service at Wash
ington and later was adjutant Of the
Eleventh Michigan, and still later recruited
the Twenty-eighth Michigan after the
battle Of Chickamagua. His letter reflects
the serene confidence in the union army
under General Scott. but is not prophetic
as to the latter.
Here is the context of the letter:
WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON,
May "A, 1S6l.-Hon. +. 8. Moore. Three
Rivers, Mich. Dear Sir; Thinking that
perhaps you would be glad to hear from
the seat of war" l will pen a few of the
incidents transplring In and around the
capital Of the nation.
These are irdeed stirring times. The
whole power of the government is engageu
to put down this unholy strife. This par
ticular department more than any other Is
overrun with business. Dispatches are ar
irving every minute detailing the operation
of our own as well as the enemy's army.
1 am in the chief clerks room and have
charge of the filing and answering OF some
of the many dispatches received.
A telegraph machine is operating on my
table and as one dispatch after another Is
received, hand II Immediately to the secre-
tary Of war, who is interchangeable and hard
at work from morning till night, and even
into the. dark hours and till almost day
light, till tired nature demands a respite.
Our army has finally commenced Its ad-
vance into the enemy's country. Last night
about / o'clock Colonel Ellsworth, with his
pet lambs, started with four field pieces
to take Alexandria, about six miles from
here.
Stopl A message comes in with the report
that after the surrender of Alexandria a
shot was fired from the roof of an ad1oin-
ing building and the gallant Colonel Els
worth was shot dead on the spot. NOT a
were quietly reposing. about 1000 Virgin
idns were taken prisoners and 1000 stand
OF arms. This is a great victory, but the
fall of Colonel Ellsworth casts a gloom
over all. He was a great faVorite OF al
the officers of the government and his
loss can't be easily supplied. His m e will
be avenged to a certainty. General Butler
will march on Norfolk Immediately. In
fact before this reaches you, Unless some
viii have the news by telegraph,
At other points operations will commence
and an active campaign be opened. The
result, of course. will be victory at every
step. General Scott, the gallant old veteran
who never made a single military mistake
in his life, has arranged this matter witt
a skill unparalleled. and after all is gained
and the glorious Stars and Stripes float
again triumphantly over every state In
the union. he will go down to his grave
with more glory than has ever fallen tC
the lot of any mortal being.
Such is q brief history of operations here
You get more by telegraph from othel
parts of the union than we do here. ex
cept such as passes through this depart
ment, which is secret. This is known e
us in the immediate vicinity of the tele
graph operator, but time will Civ II, witt
all particulars, to the country. l should b'
glad to hear from you II your time is no
too much occupied. and / will post yol
occasionally as l have time. Yours truly,
s. CHADWICK.
p. s.: If there is anything YOU think tn,
people would like to see in print, you ar
at liberty to publish in the Chronicle owe
the signature OF Americas.