Item No. 5715665

September 22, 1864, autograph letter signed by Navy Paymaster Hugh Nott, written at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, to Doctor Henry McSherry. Nott discusses the Confederate raid on Memphis by General Nathan Bedford Forrest on August 21, 1864, the capture and exchange of Union officers, social calls made by hospital staff, and the 1864 presidential campaign.

Nott describes Forrest’s raid as “a brilliant affair on his side” and criticizes the Union generals who were “regulating the price of Squash & Cucumbers about that time.” He estimates that Forrest captured about five hundred of the approximately five thousand “100 Day patriots” stationed around Memphis, adding, “If they had not hid themselves, he would have the lot.”

Nott reports that Lt. Kintzing, a member of General Cadwallader C. Washburn’s staff who was captured during the raid, had been exchanged along with several other officers.

He also comments on the hospital’s medical staff, including Surgeon William Grier who was away on leave. Surgeon G.H.E. Baumgarten and another doctor named Beauchamp “seem to be as good friends as usual, but I am looking for the bubble to burst at any moment.”

The letter also offers a glimpse of political divisions among Union officers during the 1864 presidential campaign between Abraham Lincoln and George B. McClellan. Nott writes, “We differ about Mack & Abraham, but make up again.” He closes news that Forrest’s pickets were within seven miles of Memphis on all sides as the city remained under threat.

The letter was written on four pages of a letter sheet measuring about 5” x 8”. Creased at the original folds. The full transcript follows.

U.S. Naval Hospital
Memphis Tenn. Sept 22d 1864

My Dear Doctor,
I hope you will pardon me for not answering your kind note of the 29th of Augt. before now, although I have nothing to say that would interest you but that my health continues & everything is working admirable. Sims is at Washington settling his accounts. His parole was acknowledged by the Department. I am expecting to hear from him in every boat down. I called on Miss Fitzgibbons a few days since. All well & requested to be kindly remembered. Everything is about as it was of old at the Hospital Navy Yard.

You have no doubt heard of Forrest’s raid into Memphis. It was a brilliant affair on his side & rather reflecting on these Generals, who were regulating the price of Squash & Cucumbers about that time. I judge some blame should be attached to our 100 Day patriots. About 5 thousand of them were stationed around Memphis. Forrest captured about 5 hundred of them, I am informed. If they had not hid themselves, he would have the lot. The Fleet & Surgeon Grier are away on leave. Drs. Baumgarten & Beauchamp seems to be as good friends as usual, but I am looking for the bubble to burst at any moment. Thorp, Parker, & myself are about the same. We differ about Mack & Abraham, but make up again. What do you think are the chances for Mack?

Lansing is still in durance vile. Lt Kintzing on Gen Washburn staff, who was captured at the same time, have been exchanged with several other officers. The young men make several calls on the Miss Tapps, say about once a week for them in pairs. The sisters are quite well. I hope sister Lt. John will return soon. Bridget is about the same good creature. She thinks of you often, and remarks that your place in the Hospital is not filled yet.

I was at a pic-nic last week given for the benefit of St Peters church, and had a very amusing time looking at the little young ones playing. The Padre was in my room this evening. Had a game of chess with him and beat. He starts for home. It is half past nine and the boys in the streets are singing out extra. Forrest’s pickets within 7 miles of the city on all sides. I hope he will remain out until I get my quarterlies to Washington. I will conclude this rambling epistle by wishing you health & happiness. Thorp & Parker join in the same. Ever truly your friend
Hugh Nott