Item No. 1649680

A fascinating letter written October 3, 1863, by Inspecting Veterinary Surgeon John R. Freeman from the Assistant Quartermaster’s Office in Syracuse, New York. Writing to Colonel Edwin Metcalf of the 3rd Rhode Island Heavy Artillery, Freeman aggressively solicits professional testimonials to clear his name following a bitter administrative clash at Hilton Head, South Carolina, while simultaneously angling for a major promotion within the newly formed U.S. Cavalry Bureau in Washington.

Seeking to leverage his high-level connections, Freeman asks Metcalf to add his name to an elite circle of military and medical references:

I would respectfully ask you to add your testimonial to the numerous flattering ones of my professional skill as Vety. Surgeon and Inspecting Vety. Surgeon whilst at the Head. You doubtless are aware the high admiration Col. Williams held me in. In a letter he remarks I am the only person he knows who was fitted for the position of Inspecting Vety. Surg. I have also very flattering letters from Dr Craven & Wurtz of knowledge of anatomy, pathology, &c.

Freeman then details his grander career ambitions to leapfrog regional field work for a top bureau position in Washington, writing, “I have every reason to believe I can get the Chief Inspectorship of the Cavalry Bureau in Washington through Major R. B. Williams, A. A. Genl.”

In closing, Freeman fiercely defends his professional integrity against a "raid" orchestrated by Chief Quartermaster John J. Elwell at Hilton Head, threatening to use the press to exact his revenge:

In conclusion, allow me to assure you that my character and reputation remains untarnished, altho there was a severe raid upon the former at the Head, but I shall write Elwell down in the public organ and give some information to the public which will not add to his repute.

Historical Context and Key Figures:

• John R. Freeman: The author of the letter. A civilian specialist operating out of the Syracuse procurement office.

• Colonel Edwin Metcalf: The recipient of the letter. A Harvard-educated attorney and Rhode Island politician, Metcalf commanded the 3rd Rhode Island Heavy Artillery and served as Chief of Artillery for the Department of the South until early 1864.

• Major Robert B. Williams: A departmental gatekeeper and future Adjutant General of the U.S. Army. Williams had previously served as Colonel of the 1st Massachusetts Cavalry—leading them at the Battle of Secessionville alongside Metcalf and Elwell—before returning to staff duty as a Major in the Adjutant General's Department.

• Lieutenant Colonel John J. Elwell: The target of Freeman's ire. A multitalented physician, lawyer, and close romantic companion of Clara Barton, Elwell served as Chief Quartermaster at Hilton Head before transferring to Elmira, New York, where he oversaw massive regional horse-procurement operations.

• Dr. John J. Craven: The highly prominent Chief Medical Officer of the Department of the South.

• The Cavalry Bureau and Procurement Fraud: Established in July 1863 to reform the Army’s horse supply, the Bureau was plagued by rampant corruption. Unscrupulous private contractors frequently colluded with local inspectors to sell diseased or exhausted horses to the government, turning regional depots like Syracuse into fierce bureaucratic battlegrounds.

The letter is written in ink on two pages of a letter sheet measuring about 5” x 8”. Docketed at the top of the first page. Creased where originally folded. The letter's full transcript appears below.

Assistant Quarter Master’s Office
Syracuse N.Y.,
October 3rd 1863

Colonel Metcalf
Com’g 3rd Rhode Island Vols

Col.
I would respectfully ask you to add your testimonial to the numerous flattering ones of my professional skill as Vety. Surgeon and Inspecting Vety. Surgeon whilst at the Head. You doubtless are aware the high admiration Col. Williams held me in. In a letter he remarks I am the only person he knows who was fitted for the position of Inspecting Vety. Surg. I have also very flattering letters from Dr Craven & Wurtz of knowledge of anatomy, pathology, &c.

I have every reason to believe I can get the Chief Inspectorship of the Cavalry Bureau in Washington through Major R. B. Williams, A. A. Genl.

In conclusion, allow me to assure you that my character and reputation remains untarnished, altho there was a severe raid upon the former at the Head, but I shall write Elwell down in the public organ and give some information to the public which will not add to his repute.

I am Col
Yours very resply.
John R. Freeman
Inspecting Vety Surgeon

Syracuse House

Jn. R. Freeman
Insp’g Vety. Surgeon

Ans’d Oct. 20 ’63
Mom’s Island S.C.