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 your proper officers, I have sent them out with a reproach for leaving your enrollments.
But it is proper to say the men and officers have generally acted in good faith; supposing that by joining the United States service, they would relieve the State from the expense of their organization and euipment, and with equal certainty accomplish the object of their enrollment.
I see very many dangers of conflicting exertions and efforts among officers who desire to fill up their command, but I will do all I can to prevent a laudable zeal from doing injury to either kind of service.
Very respectfully yours
Saml R Curtis
Brig Gen’l Commandg
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1. Hamilton R. Gamble was selected provisional governor of Missouri, June 18, 1861, to succeed Claiborne F. Jackson, who had thrown his lot with the Confederacy. Gamble, who disagreed with Fremont and later with Curtis over the status of negroes, was a brother-in-law of Edward Bates, atty. gen. in Lincoln’s cabinet.