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senior to order a junior of the army on any service whatever, not strictly within the line of his official duties, but I think it probable Colonel Hardee will take pleasure in meeting the wishes of your Excellency.
With great respect,
I have the honor to remain,
Your obedient servant,
Headquarters of the army, New York, October 22, 186<*>.
Lieutenant-Colonel W. J. Hardee, First United States Cavalry:
Sir — By direction of the Lieutenant-General commanding the army, I send you the enclosed copy of a letter received by him from the Governor of Virginia.
I am also instructed by the General to say, that as you have been authorized to delay proceeding to join your new post until the first of February next, you are, of course, at liberty to accept or to decline Governor Letcher's invitation to visit the encampment of cavalry, as you may think proper.
I am, sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) Lieutenant-Colonel W. J. Hardee, First United States Cavalry:
The following from Honorable George W. Summers, and the reply of Governor Letcher, are important:
My Dear Sir — So far, the population on either side the Ohio remain quiet. Our former relation of good neighborhood continues. The boats in the Cincinnati trade from this Valley yet make their trips, but have had difficulty in some instances in procuring freights, especially in the provision line. The people of Ohio profess to desire peace and commerce with us; but it is not to be denied that the public mind is in a sensitive condition, rendering it easy for the worst men on either side the border to produce difficulties which might become widespread. To avoid this, I learn that the good and substantial men on both sides have taken measures, by committees of safety, &c., to watch and suppress any out-break. I doubt very much the expediency of Virginia sending any troops to the western border, at least for the present. The appearance of troops at Wheeling, Parkersburg, Point Pleasant, or any places on the Ohio river, would serve to irritate and invite aggression. You could not send enough to do much good, if they chose to invade from the other side. They can concentrate on Wheeling 50,000 men from the other side in twenty-four hours by
