James M. Deems Offers to Raise a Cavalry Regiment during Reconstruction
November 24, 1876

In this letter to President Ulysses S. Grant, music teacher James M. Deems offers to raise a cavalry regiment in Maryland to help defend the federal government.

Baltimore
Nov 24 / 76

President U.S. Grant

Your Excellency

In view of the threatening aspect of affairs, I ask permission, should there be a necessity, to raise a Regt of Cavalry in this state – several officers and many men of my old Regiment (1st Md Cav) reside here. We have two Regiments of “Boys in Blue” here – the 2nd of which I am Lieut Col – will be glad to respond to your call.

Very respectfully,
Jas. M. Deems
Gov Paca Baltimore MD

 

SOURCES

James M. Deems to Ulysses S. Grant, 24 November 1876, Ulysses S. Grant Papers, Library of Congress