[Washington] Sunday Apl 28, 1861
My dear wife
Yours of the 20th giving me news of the progress of the volunteering was duly received
The probability is, the required regiment was made up in a few days, and a large reserve remains ready for service if called for. It is easy now to get volunteers and I wish they could be enlisted “during the war” instead of being called out for temporary purposes
Mr. Reside arrived home last night from Arkansas. He says the whole South is united now and fears they will soon attack Washington. He says they have negroes regularly enrolled and mustered in companies and that Jefferson Davis is at Richmond tonight.
Now that we have about 14 thousand troops here and more coming every day we feel rather pleased to hear they are concentrating in this direction where they can be properly met. General Scott is laboring incessantly and his aids also seem busy in keeping pace with the mighty movement surrounding them. A detachment of the N. York regiment which had been left came up the Potomac today; so we now have two routes open, and our regiment (you see I claim kindred) has the right to claim the honor of opening both routes to the Capitol. The 7th is the pet of the City and Country and well it may be, for it is eligently equipped and very perfect in drill.
Govr Grimes1 is here. He does not tell me what for but Sam writes me that the Burlington people are trying to get Burlington made the rendevous and he may have come here for that purpose. If it be true, it is a small potatoe business. I recommended the Governor to rendevous the troops at Eddyville so they could readily move East by Burlington or South East by Keokuk–Or act against any Missouri raid on the West part of our Missouri boundary.2 When I arrived here I found they had directed the muster at Keokuk where it is easily moved but not quite so convenient in all respects. I told the Adjutant General my views which were of course Strategic and properly approved; but so far as the officers here are concerned they say they will defer the matter entirely to the Governor who may be persuaded to change but I trust not in the face of my suggestions.
I have been using my influence to procure a movement down the Mississippi and a large amount of Commissary stores were today ordered to Cairo. There are now more troops en route for this City than necessary and as soon as the crisis is passed here I think we may expect more interesting events on the Mississippi where I hope to be posted. The Iowa troops if not already under way to this city may therefore expect to serve in the West; but this is mainly conjecture on my part, being predicated on the fact stated to me by those leading the army that we are sure to have more here than we need if all arrive who are within a few days march of us.
I think the rebils will recoil before the forces assembling here, but Mr. Reside thinks they will come directly in front of Washington, and commence bombarding the city. A few days will tell the story for I trust we are becoming so strong that if they do not come to us we can go forward to meet them and it would be far better to keep the war in the Seceeded States.
I expected the Resides with Sadie to go with me to church today but a rain came up at the hour and they did not come. I went up to see the Adjutant General in regard to Iowa troops, and he said no tiding from the Governor had yet been received. If the Governor is in Keokuk say this to him, and it would be well to add that the Adjutant General3 and Col. Culum Aid to the Lieut. General assured me they would make no change of orders in regard to the location of the troops without Consulting me. I would also suggest, that as far as convenient, the Government put the troops in buildings furnishing straw beds (single) for the men to lay on. I think it would be proper for our troops as far as possible to have these conveniences; but at the same time they should learn to use the smallest possible amount of equipment.
I am told here that I am named for Commander of the regiment. I would be pleased to be so elected but hope if I am they will have a first rate Lieut Col for I must attend the next Congress to act on the Military Committee where my services are considered of great importance to the army. My feet are sorer this evening than at any time although I have done very little walking today. I have not yet found time to get over to George Town although I have started twice for that purpose.
Sadie is in good health and spirits but Mr. Reside seems so anxious he disturbs the equinimity of the family He talks of taking them out of the City and if he does I shall of course make some other disposition of Sadie. Kiss dear little Carrie for Pa and believe me ever affectionately yours
Saml R Curtis
1. U. S. Senator James W. Grimes, governor from 1864-1858.
2. The Burlington & Mi3souri Railroad was open to Ottumwa, and the Keokuk and Fort Des Moines Railroad was at Eddyville. The use of the cars was undoubtedly what Curtis had in mind.
3. Lorenzo Thomas, graduate of West Point, 1823, served as Assistant Adj. Gen. from 1838 to 1853, except for a period of active duty during the Mexican War. In charge of the Adj. General’s office in March, 1861, he was appointed to position in August. Following 1863 he was but nominally in charge of the office. Figured in the Johnson-Stanton quarrel and impeachment proceedings.