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 being here, just right to meet him. I called at ½ past 7 and found him at Mrs. Brand’s house, a large new residence of hers on Cheandean Avenue. The General said he was glad to see me and told me all his difficulties. Besides the general fuss throughout Northern Missouri he is threatened with three armies in the South. Pillow is near Bird’s Point, Hardie is near Pilot Knob and McCulIough still further West.2 As a further vexation, he has but few troops, many of them without arms and no arms to give those who are being mustered into the service. He says they are diverting towards Washington all the troops and arms that he had coming this way. The General seemed excited and perplexed, and I confess things look a little squally.
He directed me to remain here in order to aid in procuring further organization and arms. I have therefore taken rooms here at the Everett House, on 4th Street, where I can have convenient intercourse with the Commanding General and arrange for more active duty. He thinks Birds Point is now safe enough but in order to act offensively against Pillow and others, he must have more force and will try to secure it by arming Home guards and drawing off the mustered Regiments. He told me when I met him, he had just ordered down the two regiments at Keokuk and the Cavelry regiment forming at Burlington.
I know their [illegible] ungainly appearance, and really feel sorry they have to come in such an unprepared condition. But we must try to get equipment and fix them up as soon as possible. While I am everywhere trying make excuses for our Government I confess it is humiliating to see how destitute we now are when the enemy is at our very doors.
William3 has a room adjoining mine. The weather is still very hot but probably no worse than you have it at Keokuk.
I hope you are making yourselves as comfortable as possible. I am trying to do so. I hope Sadie is relieved of her lingering head ache. If I stay here long I shall want some of you to come down and spend a few days with me. I have not had time to call on Henry yet. Hope to do so soon. William is well and trying to make himself useful. Kiss our dear daughters for Pa and give my love to I am
Affectionately yours
Saml R. Curtis
What I write about our troops and the enemy must not be published
S.R.C.
1. John C. Fremont, explorer, political figure, and soldier, earned early fame as an explorer and as a politician in the Republican race for President in 1856. Appointed maj. gen. in command of the Dept. of the West, he arrived at his post July 25, 1861, and held the position about 100 days. Much criticism arose over his administration. See Nicolay & Hay, Abraham Lincoln, 4, 411-439.
2. Gideon Johnson Pillow, brig. gen. vols, Mexican War, raised to maj. gen. May 13. 1847, served the C. S. A. as brig. gen. 1861-1865; William J. Hardee, U. S. Military Academy, 1838, held the rank of It. coL in the regular cavalry at outbreak of war, resigned commission Jan. 31. 1861, and served as a It. gen. C. S. A. from 1861-1865; Benjamin McCullough, veteran of the Mexican War, with rank of maj. gen., served the C. S. A. as brig. gen until killed in the battle of Pea Ridge, March, 1862.
3. A son of Brig. Gen. Curtis