Item No. 4432466

A very interesting pair of letters concerning Brigadier General William K. Strong, who commanded at Benton Barracks and St. Louis early in the war. Captain Marcellus G. V. Strong, a son of the General’s, had served as a volunteer aide on his father’s staff. When the General resigned in November 1863, Captain Strong was assigned temporarily to the headquarters of General William Rosecrans, commanding the Department of Missouri. Evidently against the Captain’s wishes he was mustered out in May 1864. From retirement in New York, the elder Strong wrote to New York Governor Edwin D. Morgan seeking his son’s restoration. Morgan thus forwarded the letter to the War Department, and the following response was written by Captain Samuel F. Chalfin:

War Department
Adjutant General’s Office
May 24th 1864

W. K. Strong Esq.
New York

Sir,
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th instant addressed to the Hon. E. D. Morgan, and forwarded by him to the Secretary of War; and in reply, am directed to enclose herewith, for your information, a copy of an endorsement made by Major General Rosecrans, commanding Department of Missouri, on a letter written by Captain Strong to Major Green, Assistant Adjutant General, and to say that the restoration cannot be ordered.

I am Sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient Servant,
S. F. Chaefin
Assistant Adjutant General.

The enclosed copy of Rosecrans’s letter, signed by Captain Chalfin, reads:

Copy

Head Qrs Dept of the Missouri
St. Louis Apr 25, 1864

Respectfully forwarded to the Adjutant General of the Army Capt. M. V. G. Strong, Assistant Adjutant General, is the son of General W. K. Strong late of the volunteer service who was for some time in command of the St. Louis District of this Department. When his resignation was accepted Capt. Strong was put on duty temporarily at these Head Quarters.

He is a very estimable young man, but his abilities and experience do not in my opinion justify his retention in service.

I respectfully recommend that he be honorably mustered out.

Official (signed) W. S. Rosecrans
Major General, Comdg.

S. F. Chaefin
Assist Adjt. General.

Both letters were written on stationery measuring about 7 3/4” x 9 3/4” and are in excellent condition, as shown. Very minor toning and foxing in a couple of small places. Creased where originally folded.