E. A. Carr to Richard Yates

Montgomery Ala.

May 22 65

Governor

I have received several

letters from my brother, Col. Clark

E. Carr, in which he has described

the exertions which you have

so kindly made in my behalf.

And I desire herewith to express

to you my obligations for your

kindness and consideration in

coming to my relief when I

have been so unkindly and

unjustly dealt with by my com-

manding General.

During my military career I have

never favored the practise of resorting

to the influence of friends to procure

military promotion. But the

practise of the head of the government

depending entirely upon the reccom-

mendations of Commanding

Generals is liable to abuse when

those Generals are (like all human be-

ings,) subject to prejudices; founded

either on personal interest, or on mis-

representations made to them by others.

And, when such cases occur,

I deem it not only justice to in-

dividuals, but to the country which

they serve; that the President should,

through other channels, be made

acquainted with the real claims

and merits of the persons in question.

It is not necessary to disguise

the fact that I expected to be promoted

for the Vicksburg Campaign and I can-

not believe that all of the Division

& some of the Brigade Commanders of

[McClernands?] Corps deserved promotion

more than myself.

But I will not inflict upon

you the history of the campaign which

you know so well from having been

a participant.

I took the liberty of sending you

one of the Wooden Mortars used by my

command in the capture of Spanish

[Fort?]; the Key to the defenses of Mobile.

In the accompanying letter

I failed to say, that it is made

of the Sweet Gum Tree which grows

in this climate and that the

iron was obtained from rebel artillerry

carriages captured in the beginning

of the seige.

I suppose that you will lend

it to the fair at Chicago: I would be glad

for you to do so, as I am unable

to respond to their request for trophies.

It is quite safe to fire, &

there are plenty of returned soldiers

who could load & fire it if desirable.

Very Respectfully

& truly yours

E. A. Carr

Brig. Gen.

Hon Richard Yates U.S. Senator

Jacksonville Illinois.

Brig Maj Gen

E. A. Carr

Answered

June 19, 1865