States that he does not feel at liberty to tell Eliot who General Schofield's replacement will be because the matter is undecided. He appreciates Eliot's assessment of Schofield's administration but defends it by saying Schofield was in fact trying to carry out the President's orders. States that Missouri is a very difficult department to command and that the President does not and cannot fully understand the conditions there. He hopes that the new commander will avoid involvement in political factions. Transcription: Private Headquarters of the Army, Washington Jany 31st 1864 Rev. W. G. Elio
States that he does not feel at liberty to tell Eliot who General Schofield's replacement will be because the matter is undecided. He appreciates Eliot's assessment of Schofield's administration but defends it by saying Schofield was in fact trying to carry out the President's orders. States that Missouri is a very difficult department to command and that the President does not and cannot fully understand the conditions there. He hopes that the new commander will avoid involvement in political factions. Transcription: Private Headquarters of the Army, Washington Jany 31st 1864 Rev. W. G. Eliot St Louis my dear Doctor I did not feel at liberty to answer your letter in regard to a change of commanders in Missouri, so long as the matter was undecided. I fully appreciated what you wrote about Genl Schofield ?s administration, but I thought any change which was [word unclear] to be made, would be for the worse. I knew what his instructions from the President were, and I believed that he was honestly and faithfully carrying them out. But at the time I could say nothing without attending to facts which I had no right to divulge. Missouri is a very different Dept to command, and I know of very few officers fittest for the place. The President does not understand the condition of affairs there, and with every disposition[?] and effort to do right, he may have committed serious errors in his instructions, and in his appointments. But who is entirely free from such errors? I fully agree with you in regard to the new commander, but sincerely hope that he may give satisfaction. He may do so if he will keep clear of the political factions which will attempt to use him for their own purposes. I thank you for your very kind letters and it always gives me great pleasure to receive them. I am often however unable to answer any private letters. When I fail to acknowledge yours, I hope you will not attribute it to neglect. Yours truly H. W. Halleck Halleck In Ans. Feb. 4. 64 Titl
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