O. R. Singleton to Richard Yates

Richmond Jany 26 1864

Hon J B Hancock

Dr Sir.

Your favor has been received and papers filed as requested, I will send warrant if issued before the adjournment of Congress. I wish I had today a glass of your excellent wine as I feel somewhat languid and fatigued from my multiplied and incessant duties here.

I hope some day to drink the health of our young Republic and talk over our hair breadth escapes and great tribulation. The present hour looks gloomy enough to be sure but like yourself I believe in ultimate success. To give us this success we must strike an effective blow early in the spring. This will set us on our legs again. Doubtless the Federals will open the campaign by moving a heavy column upon Atlanta Ga and at the same time a heavy one from Knoxville in the direction of South Western Va and Northern N Carolina, This latter if not repelled will force upon Genl Lee the necessity of falling back from his present position it may be from Richmond, and almost entirely from Va---to prevent himself from being flanked & his army entirely destroyed or disbanded. You can see at once if this movement by the enemy be allowed to be carried forward with success that these consequences must follow. This portion of Va is now pretty well eaten out and if Lee's army were cut off from the South it could not be provisioned for three months. Pressed in front & harassed in the rear with provisions exhausted disbandment or destruction must follow

It then becomes a matter of the first moment to guard the rear of our Potomac Army. Should the movement upon Atlanta succeed then Ga will be laid waste and our Chief Source (at present) of supplies will be cut off

No man can look forward to the coming spring without great apprehensions. Doubtless our severest trials

will then be upon us. If we sustain ourselves or more especially if we gain any signal advantage over the enemy soon after the opening of the Campaign we may give the opposition elements North a chance to combine and beat Lincoln for President. This I should hail as a good omen and begin to think of peace at some not distant day. I see no prospect of peace until the Republican party is beaten & overthrown.

In the meantime things are assuming a most unfavorable aspect in N Carolina, I fear the growing elements of reconstruction there. This course is deeply humiliating to every patriotic heart Congress is laboring diligently to strengthen our army and improve our currency. I hope we shall succeed materially in accomplishing both these ends. The remedy will be a severe one but the case is desperate and no silly nostrums will answer. The cause is the people's and they must sustain it at all hazards and the representative who falters in this hour of peril is not worthy of confidence. I would tell you what measures are likely to be adopted by Congress but this information is contraband as our proceedings are in secret session.

Now Judge I have written you a longer letter than I have to any correspondent this this Written on account of "Auld Lang Syne", I fear you will find it prolix and uninteresting

As Ever

Your friend

Most truly

(signed) O R Singleton

Singleton O R.

Richmond Va, Jany 26 1864.

From Singleton Member of Rebel Congress to Hon J B Hancock.

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