In 1862, Cassius Marcellus Clay has temporarily returned from his position as Ambassador to Russia, in order to fight in the Civil War, as Major General. The letter below was written by the great abolitionist and orator, Wendell Phillips, recommending Moritz Pinner to Clay, for the position of Quartermaster.
Boston, Aug. 19th, 1862
Dear Sir,
I have today given to my friend Captain M. Pinner,
a letter of introduction to you.
He has been for one year Quartermaster on Maj. Genl. Kearney's staff, and I venture nothing in saying he is the very best Quartermaster in our Army. Born in Prussia, he was bred to this business and has had great experience in that country and this. He has resided many years in this country specially in Missouri and the West.
He has tendered his resignation, but will withdraw it if he can have the same post with you, for whom he has a strong admiration. Kearney or the War Department will witness his thoroughness.
Your military repute, your political importance, make you, more than almost any man, able to advise and likely have your advice weighed. I consider you worth at least any half dozen Northerners just now.
Now press the Government to your views- go into the field authorized to carry them out. I think that we shall succeed at last, but it seems that you have the power to hasten the adoption of the needed policy so much as to save thousand of lives and millions of dollars and untold dangers to Republicanism springing from the continuation of such a war.
Faithfully Yours
Wendell Phillips
Maj. Gen. Clay
Yourself- Thank you heartily for coming home. We need you here. Don't on any account, go away again. Your with, a Kentuckian, efficiency. For your own sake and the Nation's I really wish you may find a place for him. His views on this war, of course, coincide with yours. I write for your sake as well as his. He is a jewel.