Only in this way we can accomplish something—only in this way we can preserve the Army.
TO PRESIDENT LINCOLN
Camp near Falmouth, Jan. 25, 1863.
I have just seen the Philadelphia Inquirer, which publishes a list of your nominations for major-general ships containing my name but not that of General Stahel. You remember the conversations we have had upon that subject and my emphatic declaration that I would not be in any manner in General Stahel's way; that he yielded to me the command of the 11th Corps and would be satisfied with the command of the cavalry-reserve; that I accepted this sacrifice if he could be made a major-general as well as myself. You informed me kindly that this would be done. If there are circumstances preventing General Stahel's nomination together with mine, I feel in honor bound to respectfully decline the distinction you were kind enough to confer upon me, at the same time thanking you most sincerely for this great mark of friendly consideration. You will pardon me for this, for it has always been my principle to be true to my friends and to stand up to a word I once have given. I will much rather command the 11th Corps as a brigadier-general or not command it at all, than wear the two stars, setting aside a man who is worthy of preferment, deserves my friendship and to whom I had the honor to carry your promise of promotion.[1]
- ↑
The following letters show how averse Schurz was to turning this
incident to his own advantage in any way, then or subsequently:
“New York, Feb. 27, 1897.
“Major Geo. W. Davis,
“War Department.
“Dear Sir: In compliance with your request I herewith return the letter you have submitted to my inspection. The letter is unquestionably genuine. That it was not found on the files of the War Department does
