| Knoxville, Tenn., December 13, 1861 |
| |
| Hon. J. P. Benjamin, Secretary of War |
| |
| Dear Sir, |
| My letter to you of the 3d
instant was hastily and inconsiderately written, and I regret the
strong and intemperate language used, and inasmuch as no exceptions,
except the most mild and gentlemanly terms, have been taken to that
letter, I feel myself under the more obligations to make an apology. |
| I have been peculiarly
situated here in East Tennessee. My fight with the Lincolnites for the last eight months has been
as severe a conflict as any this war will record. I have not only
held possession of the East Tennessee & Georgia Road against the
will of the Lincoln portion of my stockholders, and for a long time
guarded our bridges with troops in our own pay, but I have worked
the road all the time in the face of this violent and threatening
opposition, and never once failed to carry through both troops and
munitions and provisions without delay. Moreover, when the East
Tennessee & Virginia
completely broke down, I did not hesitate to shoulder that
responsibility and by superhuman efforts operated it also, to what
advantage to the Army you are aware. Under all these circumstances,
worn down by excitement and labor, I am sometimes thrown off my
guard. When the Hessians burned my bridges, Colonel Myers
immediately wrote me to know what aid I needed. Not wanting to tax
any one with my work, I answered promptly, "None other than to
send me funds due for work done for the Confederate States."
Colonel Ashe came along; I gave him the same answer, and he assured
me our money should be paid, and on his arrival at
Richmond
telegraphed me to send McClung immediately for our money. I sent
McClung, and was astonished to receive by telegraph from him the
news that Colonel Myers not only repudiated Ashe's contract with the
roads, but it would be days before he would be able to send me
money. This, in addition to the fact that captains, majors,
colonels, &c., were ordering our trains in and out, hazarding
life and property, and leaving me no control of either road or
ferries, and then the order from Richmond to guard Brownlow, the
prince of bridge-burning Lincolnites, over the mountains in safety,
all conspired to put out of humor much more even-tempered men than
myself. The truth is I felt that under such circumstances I would
retire and let Others take my place. So you see I have some excuse
for my bad letter. |
| I regret that I have had
hard thoughts towards Colonel Myers, for I will say that he has all
the time treated me with great kindness and courtesy. |
| I will not bore you further.
Suffice it to say that I am all right again, and at your service in
any honorable way my poor abilities can be used. |
| In two weeks I will have a
better bridge than the one destroyed. |
| Truly, yours |
| C. Wallace |
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