To William M. Cooper1Jump to section
My dear Sir: Washington July 23, 1863
I have no doubt that what you did was done with the most worthy motives; and I therefore regret that you were treated with harsh language in regard to it. Still, I have as little doubt, that the interference of outsiders, generally does more harm than good. It breeds confusion, and with it, delays and neglect.
You are conscious of having meant well, and therefore you should care no more about it. Yours truly A. LINCOLN
Annotation
[1] ALS, PHi. This communication is written on the back of a letter from William M. Cooper, president of Cooper Shop Volunteer Refreshment Saloon, Philadelphia, July 22, 1863. Cooper set forth that he had written Surgeon General Hammond on the 17th of July, ``stating to him a large number of wounded soldiers had past through our city to N. York and I had taken the responsibility of having a number taking to our hospital, and cared for in a proper manner. . . . With others I thought I was doing an act of kindness. . . .'' Cooper included a transcript of the reply from the Surgeon General's Office which denounced Cooper's ``outrage committed upon U.S. Soldiers'' and promised that ``the Surgeon Genl. will take steps to prevent the sick and wounded soldiers being again put in position where their sense of discipline and duty . . . must be destroyed. . . .''