#1861

Antwerp, June 8th 1861.

General Garibaldi:

The papers report that you are going to the United States, to join the army of the North in the conflict of my country. If you do, the name of LaFayette [sic] will not surpass yours. There are thousands of Italians and Hungarians who will rush to your ranks, and there thousands and tens of thousands of American citizens who will glory to be under the command of the "Washington of Italy."

I would thank you to let me know if this is really your intention. If it be, I will resign my position here as Consul and join you in the support of a Government formed by such men as Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, and their compatriots, whose names it is not necessary for me to mention to you.

I sincerely regret the death of Cavour. He was a great statesman. But you were right in demanding for your officers and soldiers what you did; for they had fought bravely under your command and deserved your highest thought.

With assurances of my profound regard,

Yours &c, [abbr. for et cetera]

(Signed) J. W. Quiggle

To Gen. [General] Garibaldi,

Memphis Tenn

June 1st /61

To His Excellency

Jefferson Davis

President

CSA

My dear Sir

Excust this freedom I write for myself, for my sons [crossed out 'who'] all of whom are in the Army, and for my neighbors whose children are also in the [illegible]. We are here in an expanse with comparatively defenseless condition And if there is a single man, woman or child in this whole community who is satisfied with the management of Genl Pillow or who has confidence in his military skill & tact I have not been fortunate enough to find that one. I am no military man myself, But if the whole matter if fortifying the River at Randolph has not been a farce then the concurrent judgement of the whole community is worth nothing. All I ask & that much of us ask in the name of this whole community is that we shall at least be placed under a man in whom its soldiers and the people can [illegible]. I may be premature in my fears but if I am I share the feeling common to this community. This letter may be premature; it may be out of place but I claim for its moderation and the sincere feeling of a friend of the government - & a desire to [illegible] our Sons and brothers guidance in battle by a competent head. Once more let me entreat you to direct your attention to this subject.

By [illegible] and sincerely

Your Friend

Fort Churchill May 16th

My dearest Mamma

The Pony of yesterday brought me your letters to Moore of the 24 & 25 of April. Moore has gone to San Francisco so I opened it. At the same time we got Pony news to the 4th of May. What a state of excitement you must all be in at Washington. But I think the Union men are concentrating so many soldiers near there that the Southerners around will not approach it. And the last news from Virginia sure is very unfavorable to secession. Poor Moore is almost beside himself at having to remain here inactive whilst so many are earning laurels. But I thank God for it. Of course he will fight for the Union. And although of course dear Mamma all my warmest feelings are enlisted for the Southerners rather than the Yankees. Still I do think the Union should be before all [illegible] feeling and do think secessionist a little like traitors. Still I most earnestly pray Moore may not be engaged in this terrible civil war.

Do you not think dear Mamma that if you leave Washington on account of the war that Virginia is about the worst place

[Written on the left margin and on the top of page one of this letter is the end of the letter from page two.] Please come - my [illegible] by express at once and above all you and Gertys [illegible] You know I have [illegible] of you. Goodbye my dear Mamma with much love to all believe me ever your devoted child. Florence Moore 

Mrs. Capt Moore

May 16 - 61\(Union)

you could go to Virginia and Maryland most surely be the seat of the war and it seems to me it is only going from the frying pan into the fire.

[illegible] arrived by last steamer I heard but am not certain. The Union feeling seems very strong in California. It is a little lonely here now that Moore has gone. There are no ladies here so that I am quite alone and the nearest from home are scarcely calculated to raise ones spirits much.

The weather here is perfectly harrowing but all around us there is nought but sand hills to be seen.

Give my best love to Aunt Mary and tell her I have written her a month ago by Pony but fear she may not have gotten my letter.

Dear Mamma I do not know if you know that Aunt Mary was obliged to take boarders. If you and the children go there of course she will have to give them up. I tell you this dear Mamma for fear you should not know how necessary it will be for you to pay her board for the children as much as would anyone else. At any time dear Mamma you know Moore will assist you to utmost of his means. 

Mrs. Capt Moore

Fort Churchill

May 16. 1861

Arlington, Washington City, P.O.

20 April 1861

Honble Simon Cameron

Sect of War

Sir

I have the honour to tender the resignation of my Commission as Colonel of the 1st Regt of Cavalry

Very respt your ob Servt

R E Lee