23 February 1864: “The commission officers…are to be treated like faithful dogs worn out with age.”

Item Description: Letter, 23 February 1864, to Governor Zebulon B. Vance from Brigadier-General W. L. Quarles, C.S.A., protesting against turning over the commissioned officers of the North Carolina regiments to the War Department.

[transcription available below image]

18640223001

Item Citation: From the Jane Hyde Hall Liddell Battle Papers #2769-zSouthern Historical CollectionWilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Item transcription:

Wilson NC
Feby 23rd/64

To his Excellency Z.B. Vance

Dear Sir,

Being a stranger, you will please pardon me for the liberty I have thus taken in addressing you. I do it however at the instance of others, my self included, the object is to know wether or not you intend giving up the original commission officers under the late act of congress. if so we cannot but [view it as hard?] from the fact that we have with alacrity endeavored to obey every order that has emanated from your excellency.

The commission officers for the last three years have at part been used as tools to make our army what it is. and that too without one … of compinsation they are now according to the opinions of some are to be treated like faithful dogs worn out with age. when there are no further use for them they must be killed, that is to hand them over to the tender mercy of the war department, to get them out of the way. [anearly response] will very much oblige a great many others besides

Yr obt srvt
W.L. Quarles

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