Important ALS, one lightly lined page both sides, 8 x 10.5, Carolina Life Insurance Company letterhead, August 24, 1872. Davis writes to J. D. McPherson. In part: “Accept my thanks for your kind attention to my request in regard to the Scott correspondence and your readiness to make inquiry for me about the orders affecting the late Genl. Hitchcock. It is probable that my name would not incline the present Adjt. Genl. to give what would otherwise be withheld, and I would not expose you to an insolent refusal. My impression is that the regiment was relieved in the ordinary routine of change and that its Col. Hitchcock was directed to proceed with it to Pa. and establish Hd. Qrs. at Carlisle while recruiting to fill up his Regt. and that when the Regt. had been well filled up he was in accordance with the programme for changing the stations of the troops ordered to Fort Pierre; and that he by permission of Genl. Scott stopped at Saint Louis, Mo. The conditional purchase of Fort Pierre made it desirable that the place should be examined by an officer of experience and judgement, before the contract was closed. The Gov’t relied upon Genl Hitchcock in the matter and had fully advised him. Genl Scott put his action on the ground of the necessities of orphan relatives of Genl. Hitchcock. Genl Cullum [Superintendent of West Point] assigned as a reason the ill health of H. Both are false. The ‘orphan relatives’ were the children of Dr. Beaumont, their mother was living, and they were no kin to H. If there had been ill health, a surgeon’s certificate would have settled the question, and like most liars Cullum wants consistency as ill health is incompatible with the service claimed to have been rendered in Cal. The story of the visit to the German Springs is (I think) either an anachronism or a pure fiction. But the inquiry suggested by me was not as to personal but general army history.” Ethan Allen Hitchcock (1798–1870) was a dedicated and industrious soldier who, through his exceptional skill and meritorious service (most notably during the Mexican War), steadily rose through the ranks of the U.S. Army. He was appointed Inspector General by General Scott in 1847, in which post he provided ample demonstration his skill as an organizer and administrator. Soon after political machinations led to his “banishment” to a nominal post at Carlisle Barrack, Pennsylvania, persistent ill health forced him to request a four-month leave of absence. General Scott granted his request, and Hitchcock sailed to Germany to take the “remedy” at the fabled spa in Weisbaden. Upon his return, then-Secretary of War Jefferson Davis demanded to know why Scott had allowed this “indulgence” to Hitchcock, against whom he had long harbored an intense dislike. The spiteful Davis then ordered Hitchcock to Fort Pierre, far from the troops he had previously commanded; Hitchcock, still in poor health and recognizing the punitive nature of Davis’ decree, requested an extension to his leave or, if such was impossible, to tender his resignation. Davis readily agreed to the latter, and Hitchcock’s military career came to a temporary end on October 18, 1855. With the outbreak of the Civil War, Hitchcock volunteered his services once more, and he performed ably in a number of important administrative posts until the end of the war and beyond. In fine condition, with expected folds, minor separations along folds, and light scattered soiling. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
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