Stephen A. Hurlbut to Richard Yates

Head-Quarters 16th Army Corps,

Memphis. Tenn., Nov 8 1863.

Dear Governor

I am in a little leisure just now and think I can use it to advantage by posting you up on my notions of the way the Miss. River & its influences are being handled.

You of course understand that Mr. Chase is or proposes to be a candidate for the Presidency. To make any show he must carry Ohio. To carry Ohio he must make friends - to make friends he must use the "Mammon of Unrighteousness". He thus is [illegible] this wise. Secretary Chase who is I think above money influence delegates all power over Cotton trade in the Valley of the Miss to Ohio agent W.P. Millen & procures orders by which the whole control is given to

the Treasury Department.

Millen shuts himself up in Cincinnati does not come here where the trade is. Keeps the public and his local agents in the dark here as to the mode of obtaining permits for four or five weeks and in the meantime supplies his friends Especially his brother in law in Cincinnati (Robert Moore) with his permits to buy Cotton below, to take goods into insurrectionary States and orders to Surveyors to clear boats given (in blank) to this same Moore & filled up by him.

I have reason to believe that this is a huge swindle - & think there is evidence enough to prove it. I am glad that the Cotton question has been removed from the Military authorities, but think they have gone from Scylla to Charybdis in the operation

For myself, thank God, there exists no Cotton fever, but I am as

finitely disgusted at the shape in which matters stand.

If the Government want the thing done honestly - let them adopt a plan I mentioned long ago. Let boats bring in & wagons bring in all the Cotton they choose to Memphis or other selected point. Boats to take nothing down. No sales or transfers recognized until Cotton is delivered & inspected by Treasury officer - Loyalty & other things being fairly proven - let the Cotton be sold in open market for the owners.

Separate the question of Cotton from that of supplies.

Of course this will not be done because it is practical.

Your home victories by the ballot are good as good as victories by the bullet. There will be no fight at Chattanooga of any account

Yours truly

S A Hurlbut

Private

Hurlbut - Maj Genl S.A.

Memphis Nov 8 '63.

Cotton !!!

Presidency -

Secretary Chase.

Mammon !!

"Outs" Military Authorities

"Ins" Treasury Department

A Specific &c &c &c

Good letter

File

(Private)

Rec Nov 21st 1863.