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 the contrary the “combat deepens” and grows wider and longer and more and more interminable.
This day General Fremont proclaims Martial law1 as extended throughout Missouri which of course gives him a kind of supreme command over everything in this state a specious of Despotic power which in some mens hands may be made extremely oppressive.
I being subordinate, must yield, and aid in carrying it out; but I here record my entire disapproval, believing the exigencies do not require it, and the prudent fraught with too much peril to the future liberties of the people. Indeed I doubt the success of it in a military point of view for I fear it will involve the Military officers in all the police regulations of the state that could be better supervised by the civil power and absorb the time of military men that should be employed in commanding soldiers.
The proclamation too is carelessly worded and open to a thousand objections which in after times will meet with severe reprehensions. But thiese are revolutionary times and the justification may at present rest on a revolutionary necessity which the world may never take the trouble to investigate. It is a short quick way we have here of sliding into a Military Government, which has no parallel in the history of this war elsewhere and which I privately condemn. This is just between you and I and the post, for right or wrong I must support the plans of the Commanding General, and having got us into it I am for doing the best I can to render it available.
I was indeed surprised to meet Henry and Sadie and Carrie here and only regret that you should have imposed such restraints on all of them as to make them very discontented even for the very short stay they made me. I enjoyed their visit very much, but poor Carrie was under your injunction (without your letters which would if received made her infinitely more unhappy) to hurry home because you would be so lonesome, and they had hardly paid their fare and got seated, before arrangements for a return had to be arranged. Such a journey should not have been so planned. It was a pleasant visit but cost more than it was worth.
I have determined on the adjournment of the Housekeeping, in Keokuk. We cannot carry it on without costing more than it comes to. Henry and Sadie will explain my views on that subject You need not hurry yourself about leaving, if you retain three rooms, as you will find it pleasant enough boarding with Mrs. Mc―― and sleeping in your own house. Day board there will be a much more eonomical arrangement especially if you have your washing done at home which you could have by hiring a woman once a week.
But as to this I do not know as you have no room for a wash woman to work in. The rest of the house should be rented to a choise tenant.
There is room enough left for any ordinary family, and our rooms must be under lock and key exclusively for our own things and for no body else to have occasional or any use of. While the war lasts, we may as well prepare for all kind of accidents, and being entirely free to come and go is the best condition for all of us. You can then bring the children down near me and board, or if occasion requires or renders it more agreeable you can go back and take possession of the rooms at Keokuk which you must retain as a means of holding our homestead. When times get better we may better determine how to dispose of our effects which you will find it difficult to stow away.
Do not loan them around. Everything will be needed by ourselves or our children. I know it will perplex you somewhat to get matters stowed away and I wish you had William there to help you. I think Henry had better pick me out a tried servant from some of those Laiffe has about him so I can let William go back to Keokuk. If Leonard goes away I will have to make some new arrangement with that farm and it may be your place will be the best. The trouble is, Mr. West could not carry on so large a farm without hiring too much. I want Henry to settle with Mr. Leonard. I do not wish to hurry the sale of my stock. In fact it would bring nothing. I wish Mr. Leonard would certify the amount of hay he furnished the troops there in Keokuk so the amount can be paid. He furnished two loads, and he will remember when and how much. Chambers ought to pay for it. It was for the troops but if he does not it will be proper to present the amount to the state officers who will have it audited and paid. While I think of it, I wish Henry would look over the papers and pick up such as I ought have sent to Washington. I want a copy of my order to Muster Iowa troops. It is among the files and also the receipt and Invoices for guns that are in the case. I especially need an army register. There are several about the house. Send by mail.
I bought several articles in the way of cooking utensils and table furniture yesterday such as they get up for the service.
I saw a mess chest which I thought a great temtation. Tell Henry not to get up anything of that kind as I can get them here or in St Louis to far better advantage.
I hope dear little Caddie was rejoiced by finding you entirely safe and well for the dear child suffered with anxiety for you. Kiss all our dear children [for] me and believe me ever
Affectionately yours
Saml R. Curtis
[By Special Order No. 113 Geni Curtis ordered to St. Louis to assume command of Camp Benton there. Assumed command September 8, by date of his Headquarters orders No. 1.]
1. Fremont startled the whole country, the President as well as all others, by his proclamation of Aug. 30. Claiming the unrest and disorders in Missouri, and dangers of marauding bands of irregulars impelled him to take the step, Fremont declared martial law for all but the southwestern third of Missouri, proclaimed in part that
‘All persons who shall be taken with arms in their hands within these lines [from Leavenworth, by way of the posts of Jefferson City, Rolla, Ironton, to Cape Girardeau, on the Mississippi] shall be tried by court-martial, and if found guilty will be shot.
‘All property, real and personal, of all persons in the State of Missouri who shall take up arms against the United States, or who shall be directly proven to have taken an active part with their enemies in the field, is declared to be confiscated to the public use, and their slaves, if any they have, are hereby de-clared freemen.’
Equally stringent penalties were imposed on treasonable intercourse with the enemy and all public demonstrations of a hostile nature. The object of this declaration, Fremont wrote, “is to place in the hands of the military authorities the power to give instantaneous effect to existing laws, and to supply such deficiencies as conditions of war demand.” Wherever existing civil law and jurisdiction was functioning, however, the civil authorities were not to be disturbed.
This prolamation announced policies which had not yet been decided upon by the Congress. and contravened an enactment of Aug. 6, 1861. To Lincoln’s tactful remonstrance and suggestion that Fremost modify the proclamation, the latter refused, consequently. Lincoln so ordered such modifications as of Sept. 11. See Official Records, War of the Rebellion, 1st ser., 3, 466-467, 469-470, 477-479, 485-486, also Nicolay & Hay, Lincoln, 4, 416-424, reflecting an administration view.