Marcellus M. Crocker to Samuel J. Kirkwood, 8 December 1862
Camp of the 3rd Brigade at
Abbeville Miss Dec 8th 1862
Dear Governor
In regard to Greely I have to say that ever since, or nearly ever since, I have been connected with the regiment there has been a prejudice against him. he has been charged with all manner of disreputable things, such as stealing the jewels out of a masonic lodge, illicit intercourse with negro women &c but so far as I can ascertain none of these charges have been substantiated against him. On the contrary I think the charge of stealing the jewels is now admitted to be unjust and unfounded. It is generally admitted that Greeley is a brave man and I know him to be an intelligent and active officer generally disposed to do his duty. I have no prejudice against Mr Greely, nor had but one controversy with him, and in that I was as much if not more to blame than he. I do not like Greely and if I was the appointing power should not appoint him, but he is altogether preferable to Wetherby, who is an ass, and but for the fixed dislike of him entertained by Col Hall and Lt Col Abercrombie he would probably be the best appointment for the Company. The young man recommended by Col Hall is an excellent soldier and would make a good officer
Respectfully your friend
M M Crocker
P. S. over /
I recd notice yesterday that the president had appointed me a Brigadier again, and a letter from Mr Casson to day stating that the commission should be forwarded in a day or two. When it comes Gen Grant says he will give me command of a division. My brigade had the advance up to this place, and did a little skirmishing, nothing serious however. The Iowa Brigade is the crack brigade of this army, and can do more subsisting "on the enemies Country" on a less given space than any troops of my acquaintance I had your letter of congratulation read to the regiments. they gave three cheers for the Governor—
Crocker
[overleaf]
Col. Crocker
about
Lieut Greely
4146
DATABASE CONTENT
(4146) | DL1825 | 191 | Letters | 1862-12-08 |
Letter from Union General Marcellus M. Crocker, Camp of the 3rd Brigade at Abbeville, Mississippi, December 8, 1862, to Iowa Governor Samuel Kirkwood, re: opinion regarding the promotion of an officer and the accusations against the officer, Iowa Brigade's ability to subsist on the enemy's country, Crocker's recent promotion to Brigadier, and General Grant's promise to give him command of a division
Tags: Crime, Duty, Politics, Rumors
People - Records: 2
- (4683) [writer] ~ Crocker, Marcellus Monroe
- (4684) [recipient] ~ Kirkwood, Samuel Jordan
Places - Records: 1
- (2925) [origination] ~ Abbeville, Lafayette County, Mississippi
Show in Map
SOURCES
Marcellus M. Crocker to Samuel J. Kirkwood, 8 December 1862, DL1825, Nau Collection