Executive Mansion Washington Octo. 24th 1861. Brigr Genl. S. R. Curtis1 Dear Sir On receipt of this, with the accompanying inclosures you will take safe, certain, and suitable measures to have the inclosure addressed to Major General Fremont, delivered to him with all reasonable dispatch–subject to these conditions only, that if, when Gen Fremont shall [...]

Benton Barracks Mo. Oct 22, 1861 General1 I was ordered yesterday by telegraph to march back all the troops I had sent down on the Iron Mountain road, which was no doubt intended as a preliminary for sending them West. The order conveyed also a scathing reproach saying “the whole affair has been grossly exaggerated [...]

Head-Quarters Camp of Instruction, Benton Barracks, (near St. Louis, Mo.,) Oct 20, 1861 His Ecy Abraham Lincoln President In further response to your letter Concerning affairs in this Department I feel it my duty to present, that orders from the Commanding General are draining the Northern and Eastern portions of this State, and pressing them [...]

Head-Quarters Camp of Instruction Benton Barracks, (near St. Louis, Mo.,) Oct 18 1861 General1 I asked by Telegraph a suspension of your order directing the 8th Wisconsin to report at Jeffersonville to Genl Sherman; mainly because General Fremont was draining this point when Thomson was moving against us, to pursue Price2 who was retreating far [...]

Head-Quarters Camp of Instruction, Benton Barracks, (near St. Louis, Mo.,) Oct 16 1861 Brig Genl L. Thomas Sir I am exceedingly embarrassed in the matter of Staff officers. I am entitled to 2 Aids and you know I need them. Yet I have none. I now ask that Geo S. Pierce distinguished in the fight [...]

Head-Quarters Camp of Instruction, Benton Barracks, (near St. Louis, Mo.,) Oct 11th 1861 Honored and dear Sir1 Your excellency’s letter2 the 7th Ins’t desiring me to express my views, in regard to Genl Fremont frankly and Confidentially to the Secretary of War ; was presented by him this morning, and I have complied with your [...]

[Copy] St Louis Oct 10th/61 Brig Geni Saml. R. Curtis Sir Your[s] of the 9th in relation to Mr. Taylor,1 Mail Agt is recd. You say you are informed that I have reproached a Mail Agt for expressing Union Sentiments, and denouncing Secession; in this you are misinformed, the Captain of the boat informed me [...]

Head Quarters Camp of Instruction Benton Barracks Oct 9th 1861 John McCune Esq1 Prest Keokuk & St Louis Packet Co Sir I am informed by an officer of the mail service that you have reproached him for expressing Union sentiments and denouncing secession in the presence of the passengers on your boats. I wish to [...]

Washington, D.C. Oct. 7. 1861 Brig: Genl. S. R. Curtis My dear Sir. Without prejudice, and looking to nothing but justice, and the public interest, I am greatly perplexed about Gen: Fremont: In your position, you can not but have a correct judgment in the case; and I beseech you to answer Gen. Cameron, when [...]

Head Quarters Camp of Instruction Benton Barracks (near St. Louis) Oct 7. 1861 Governor H R Gamble1 Dear Sir Yours of the 5th inst. on the subject of conflicting enrollment by States and United States Officers, is just received. When I have been informed of men brought in this camp who had been previously enrolled [...]

[By special order no. 244, H.Q. Western Division, dated Sept, 23, 1861, “Brigiadier General Samuel R, Curtis Volunteer Service, will extend his Command over the City of St. Louis, and will assume the control during the absence of the Commanding General of the Department, of all matters affecting the public interests in and near St. [...]

Camp of Instruction Benton Barracks Sept 21. 1861 Dr Major I find the skeleton Regiment in camp requires much time and attention. Men come and stay a few days without being mustered in, and slip away from camp cheating the Government out of subsistance and causing insubordination. I have therefore detailed an officer (Lieut Freeman [...]

Headquarters Camp of Instruction Benton Barracks Mo September 18th 1861 General Orders No. 4 Troops are stationed at this post especially to recruit organize and drill, commanders thereof after the first day (which should be devoted to clearing quarters and accoutrements, and airing tents and clothing) officers and men will be expected to conform to [...]

Camp of Instruction Benton Barrack Sept. 19, 1861 Major J. C. Kelton1 Asst. Adt Genl Sir The matter of a Company of Sappers and minors raised in Illinois Commanded by Capt. Snyder has been referred to me, with direction to ascertain whether fraud had been practised to prevent the Company from joining Col Bissels Regiment [...]

Benton Barracks Mo Sept 19. 1861 Dr General In Conformity with your instructions I send a Complete requisition for Clothing nine regiments Iowa volunteers. When in Washington I made a partial requisition for two regiments but nothing has yet arrived. If it does, it does not matter, as we are receiving from Iowa several more [...]

Camp Benton Mo. Sept. 8. 1861 My dear wife I started from Jefferson Barracks at 4 oclock yesterday but got along so slow it was dark when the train left the city. I had sent a wagon with my furniture, so William got here, but I remained at the Everett house, sleeping once more in [...]

Jefferson Barracks Mo. Sept. 2, 1861 My dear wife I have received your nice basket of plums and cake by express. The plums are some of them decayed but the major part are fresh and beautiful. The cake too is nice and plump but a little smeared over with plum juice. I will distribute the [...]

Jefferson Barracks Mo August 31 1861 My dear wife This is the last day of the long month which closes another summer. It has been full of stirring events in which I have extensively participated. The country has been in great commotion and the gloom that has overshadowed us does not seem to lessen. On [...]

Jefferson Barracks Mo August 16 1861 My dear wife Since my last letter matters have quieted down a little, and I still remain here in Command of the unarmed and undisciplined regiment that remains after I have sent away everything that could be of use for fighting purposes. Henry telegraphed that he would start over [...]

[By Special Order No. 42, Head Quarters Western Dept. St. Louis, dated Aug. 9, 1861, Curtis was ordered to “command a Camp of Instruction for Volunteers at Jefferson Barracks. General Curtis will use the utmost expedition in drilling and disciplining the Regiments which will be directed to report to him. The School of the Company [...]

Head Quarters Jefferson Barracks Mo August 12th 1861 My dear wife Being ordered to take command at this post I came down here yesterday evening, and stayed all night with Major Macrae1 the for[mer] commandant. Being senior officer I am entitled to choice of quarters, and have taken rooms (5 or 6) here within the [...]

St Louis August 6. 1861 My dear wife & daughters I have a little more leasure than I ought to have in these times of troubles; but not being here long enough to learn the ropes I can find a little more time to write you. I have been busy writing and telegraphing to get [...]

St Louis Mo. August 5. 1861 My dear wife I arrived here some time last night, and had a very comfortable rest on a good large bed in the Ladies Cabin till 6 ½ Oclock. On opening the mornings papers, I found General Fremont1 had returned to this city yesterday: so I was fortunate in [...]

Washington July 26 1861 My dear Wife The best way to keep an account of my “daily walk and conversations” is to write you very often and trust that my letters to you may serve as a continuance of my journal which I can not carry about the country. At ½ past 4 I repaired [...]