Letter, R.K. Garland to Jefferson Davis
Object number2002.447.37
DateFebruary 23, 1865
Mediumpaper and ink
DimensionsOverall: 8 9/16 x 10 7/8 in. (21.7 x 27.6 cm)
Credit LineOld State House Museum collection
Terms
C.S. House of Reps.
Feb. 23d, 1865
His Excellency
Jeff'n Davis
Sir -
As a representative in part of the interests of the country, I have been anxious before leaving for my home to hold an interview with you upon subjects of great interest to our country but knowing the great {?} of business and deep anxiety of mind with which your position necessarily visits you, I have forborne to trespass in person and have concluded this to briefly address you. And whatever I may here say, I feel convinced will not be construed as a desire to obtrude(?), but as the earnest convictions of a heart deeply enlisted in the cause of beloved, bleeding country.
As to the affairs in the trans-Miss Dept, it seems to me that Gen. Smith should, early in the spring, move with his entire force into Missouri. If not successful in holding MO the movement could but result in good in other respects. It would have a tendency to draw reinforcements from Thomas to the west side of the Miss River and thus leave the Army Tenn comparitively unencumbered and in situation to strike more effectively where it now is to reinforce any other command. And, with the entire force of the Trans Miss Dept. I am of the opinion that with all the opposition which could be brought to bear if the means were at his command to arm the recruits which would flock to his {?}, Gen. Smith could make a successful stand there. Our forces in that dept are much nearer equal to the enemy's than those on this side of the Miss River. The movement, too, I think would have the tendency to divert the attention of the enemy to some extent from his purposes on this side of the River and to inspire our people here with renewed hope and confidence, which it seems to me, are much needed. So to our prospects here (on the east side) it seems to me we have already in the field (to say nothing of those in other positions which might be gathered {?} and added thereto) to cary [sic] on a protracted defensive war. The great error and one which should be removed from the minds of the people is that the evacuation of Richmond is the abandonment of our cause. The moral effect might be great but materially it is nothing. The great advantage which we have in this struggle consists in the fact that no particular city is the heart of the Confederacy. The Federals have deluded themselves with the idea that the Rebellion was crushed at every point from the capture of Memphis to the evacuation of Charleston. And yet some other and more distant point and as they thought nearer the heart of the Rebellion will invited them on and to their astonishment they have thus been for four years delusively led on by the "Will o the Wisps", the taking of Richmond can never compensate them for the loss which they have sustained in the siege. In my judgment there are several other places south of this in at which equally as formidable a resistance could be made with our present force as has been at Richmond. I am fully satisfied that if the question were proposed to ther people of the U.S. which they prefer, to recognize the independence of the C.S. or to seize her capitol four years longer with a repetition of the loss and suffering, our great object would be readily conceded. There is too much at stake for us to abandon this contest as long as we have the means of resistance which are at our disposal. To abandon it under all the surrounding circumstances would be the height of imbecility if not wickedness.
As the important business of this session has been finished I shall leave for my home in Ark. on Sunday evening next, but I wish to assure you that until our independence is achieved or our cause becomes utterly hopeless, those entrusted with responsible and arduous duties in the management of our affairs shall have my earnest and conscientious support. Whatever differences of opinion may exist amongst us as to the different plans for a successful prosecution of the war should not degenerate into a factious feeling. Whatever differences of opinion may have existed in times passed upon any questions should now be hushed. We are all launched upon the same ship - freighted with the hopes and happiness of millions yet unborn - and we must either ride the storm or go down together.
I am very respectfully
Your ob't serv.
R.K. Garland, M.C.
from Ark.
Status
Not on view
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October 30, 1863
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September 11, 1864
November 7, 1861