To Carl Schurz1Jump to section
My dear Sir, Washington, April 11. 1863.
I can not comply with your request to take your Division2Jump to section from the Army of the Potomac. Gen. Hooker does not wish it done. I do not myself see a good reason why it should be done. The Division will do itself, and it's officers, more honor; and the country more service, where it is. Besides these general reasons, as I understand, the Army of the Potomac will move, before these proposed changes could be conveniently made. I always wish to oblige you, but I can not in this case. Yours truly A. LINCOLN
Annotation
[1] ALS, DLC-Schurz Papers; ALS copy, DLC-RTL. Schurz's letter to Lincoln of April 6, reads in part:
``You remember that I received the command of the 11th Corps by your order under the Grand Division arrangement. When the latter was abolished, Gen. Sigel resumed command of the Corps. Soon afterwards he left it on leave of absence and . . . I assumed the command. But Gen. Hooker assigned Maj. Gen. Howard to the command of the Corps, which reduced me to my old Division. . . . I do not want to interfere with the arrangements already made but should be happy to be assigned to another Department, but I cannot go without my old troops. . . . I should be glad to be ordered off to Gen. Burnside or Gen. Rosecrans, and I am sure every man in my command would hail the order with enthusiasm. We have always been outsiders in this Army . . . and I have no doubt this Army will see us leave without regret, provided our place be filled by an equal number of American troops. . . . Gen. Howard agrees with me . . . and Gen. Hooker . . . will have no objection, if the gap left by my Division, which is one of the smallest anyhow, can be filled with other troops. . . . If you send me West with my boys, which I sincerely hope you will, I will take my chance without asking for anything more, except a good opportunity to fight.'' (DLC-RTL).
That Schurz did not speak for all his men is indicated by a letter from Brigadier General Adolph von Steinwehr to Major General Oliver O. Howard, April 5, ``I am informed, that General Schurz endeavors to obtain the command of the German troops of this corps & to be ordered with them to Kentucky or elsewhere. . . . I . . . earnestly beg you, that you will retain us in this Corps & under your command. I hope the time is not far of[f], when these political moves may cease. . . .'' (DLC-RTL).
[2] The copy in the Lincoln Papers has the word ``away'' at this point.