Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 7 [Nov. 5, 1863-Sept. 12, 1864].

Annotation

[1]   ADfS, DLC-RTL. Gentry's letter of February 3, 1864, reminded Lincoln of their early acquaintance when they were members of congress. Elected to the Confederate Congress, Gentry was ill at his home in Shelbyville, Tennessee, when Confederate forces retreated. Permitted to remain for some time without taking an oath of allegiance to the Union, he was later ordered to take the oath or go to prison: ``They decided that I should either go beyond the Federal lines southward or be sent a Prisoner to Camp Chase./td/ When the case came before Genl Rouseau he took no other action upon it, except to extend the Parol which had been given me at Shelbyville specifically to the 21st of Febr Inst---at which time my term as a member of the Confederate Congress expired. I am now at this City (Nashville) to solicit his final decision. Genl Grants Head Quarters being here Genl Rouseau has introduced me to Genl Grant & I expressed to him my wish to be discharged from arrest and to recieve from him a pass to go south with the privilege of returning when I

shall have attended to business in that region which if not promptly and successfully attended to, will involve me & mine, in complete & entire pecuniary ruin. Genl Grant whilst giving a courteous hearing to my application seems to think that it would be irregular for him to decide upon the case, and has suggested that . . . I should apply directly to you . . . and has consented to forward my Letter, with such endorsement upon it as will attract your attention. . . .'' (DLC-RTL).