September 22, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/22/2011
STUART, J.E.B. (1833-1864) Confederate cavalry general, received the Thanks of Congress for his actions during the ride around McClellan, later killed at Yellow Tavern May 11, 1864. Autograph Letter Signed "J.E.B. Stuart, 1st Lt., 1st Cav.", 3pp, 7-3/4" x 9-3/4", Fort Leavenworth, K(ansas) T(erritory), March 23, 1857, written to "Hon. Henry A. Wise, Gov. of Va., Richmond Va." In large part, ""I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of testimonials this day furnished direct to the Comy General of Subsistence U.S.A. to be laid before the Hon. Secy of War. Availing myself of your kindness and the disposition expressed in your note of Decr 22d 1856, to Serve a Son of my lamented father, I send you certified copies of these papers for your assistance, premising that a vacancy may occur any day and be filled before you can hear it even at Richmond, which makes it necessary to urge an appointment for the first vacancy before it occurs. I have made it a simple application to the Hon. Sec Mr. Floyd through the proper channels, and have not gone out of my way for testimonials confining myself entirely to the officers of rank with whom I am now serving; but there are some remarks which I deem it not improper to make to you, in which I promise to be as brief as possible. The appointment which I seek, is the only way in which a Lieutenant of the line can anticipate the tardy progress of promotion as a kind of Brevet, retaining at the same time his lineal or Regimental rank as Lieutenant, but having the pay and emoluments of Captain. And in as much as his appointment as Captain in the Staff Dept. gives him no additional command or lineal rank, it can not be considered an encroachment upon the rights of Lieutenants Senior to him. In fact, the provisions of the Law making it entirely at the discretion of the presidents as, regards the selection, it would be quite reasonable to give such an appointment, other things equal, to the junior because the Senior will soon get his promotion in the regular way, entitling him to all the prerogatives of Captain. I understand (I have not seen them yet) that the Edition of the Army Regulations published just as Mr Davis made his exit from the War Dept, have the extraordinary [last word is underlined for emphasis] provision that no m[ounted]d officer shall be eligible to appointment in the Staff Departments. I can only account for such an absurdity by supposing that the unjust proscription [last word is underlined] of the Subalterns of the mounted Regt has been so long practically [last word is underlined] followed out, that it has passed unnoticed into the code. Any one endowed with reason common sense and, a common sense of Justice, except Mr Davis, must agree that such an outrageous distinction has no foundation whatever in either law, justice, or reason. From my limited acquaintance with Mr Floyd I cannot for a moment believe that he will allow himself to be trammeled by such a Regulation. The law expressly provides that the appointments shall be filled by the President by selection form the Subalterns (not of the Artillery & Infantry alone, but) of the line of the Army. And there have been appointments from mounted Regts. to the Staff - though I must say they are 'like angels visits few & far between'. You will find by the Army Register that in the entire Subsistence Dept three are from the Infantry and the remaining nine from the Artillery. It can not be denied that the Cavalry portion of our Army perform by far the most arduous duty belonging to the Service, ought it not then have a share of the immunities of the Service. I respectfully request that upon a full consideration of whatever claims, if any, I have you will if you feel justified in doing so, at your earliest convenience bring my appointment, to fill the first vacancy which occurs in the Subsistence Dept U.S. Army, to the favorable consideration of the Hon[orab]le Sec. of War and the President." On the verso, Governor Wise forwards the letter to John B. Floyd, "Richmond, Apl 9th 1857, To Hon: Jno B. Floyd, Sectry of War, Dr. Sir, I enclose to you the written testimonial well assured as I am that you will give to them all due consideration. Yrs Truly, Henry A. Wise." Then, an endorsement signed by "S(amuel) Cooper" who forwards the matter to the Commissary General of Substitutes.
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