1862 February 14 Centreville, Va.

Centreville Feb. 14th
1862
My Dear Father –
Yesterday
evening your letter ad-
dressed in response to mine
written but a few days since
in regard to effecting a
loan for the purpose of
providing a portion of a
Company with horses was
received. Your action
in the matter is I assure
you perfectly satisfac-
tory, and after consid-
ering the subject in its
various lights I am con-
vinced of its wisdom
and propriety and in-
deed after some reflec-
tion it was in accor-

[page 2]
dance with my antic-
ipation. You may rest
assured that I recognize
in this as I have done
on every previous occa-
sion the superior fore-
sight of a kind, and
liberal father, and that
so far from viewing it
in an unfavorable
light I regard it as
highly expedient.
One who has been so
liberally indulged in
every respect, and be
had education and
improvement, at whatever
expense, placed within
his grasp as I have,
would certainly be

[page 3]
grossly, aye – criminally
dirilect [derelict] and forgetful
to dispute or question
for a moment the motives
of the author of so many
benefits.
I shall still continue
in the enterprise I have
undertaken, having been
encouraged to believe
that my efforts will
be finally crowned with
success. I have seen
it stated in recent
papers that the President
is authorized is to com-
mission officers to raise
Companies, of a d different
arms of the service, and
I suppose this may be
done wither in the

[page 4]
Volunteers, or the present
Militia, and moreover
that any person enroll-
ling under such an of-
ficer shall be consider-
ed as legally bound,
provided that the said
officer in a reasonable
time procures a suffi-
cient number of men
for the formation of
his company. Major
Mason having been on-
ly authorized by the
department to raise
a Squadron from the
present Vols. and I
having been appointed
by him as to raise one
of the companies,
I am, I suppose at

[page 5]
liberty to recruit my
Company on the princi-
ples laid down for them
acting by authority of
the President, and am
virtually of that class.
However I am not
satisfied of this fact
and I therefore request
that if not inconve-
nient you will ascer-
tain from some official
and should you find
that I am not regar-
ded as commissioned
by the President, will
procure for me the
authority desired – that
is to raise a Company
for Mason’s squadron
based on my having
obtained his consent.

[page 6]
A friend mentioned to
me yesterday that he had
noticed in a recent pa-
per that the Government
had decided to furnish
horses for Companies organ-
ized on the plan of the
one I propose to form and
if this be so my suc-
cess is certain. If you
have means of ascertain-
ing the facts of the
Case you would greatly
oblige me by doing
so. I dislike greatly
to impose so much upon
you, for I am aware
that you are deeply
engaged in most im-
portant business, but
I have no one else

[page 7]
to apply to, and I am
induced to believe that
from your access to the
authorities you may
be able to ascertain with-
out encountering much
trouble.
The weather although
rather changeable has
been quite good for
several days past.
My health continues
most excellent.
With much love I remain
Most Affectionately
Your Son,
Jno. W. Daniel.

[Here follows another envelope:]
Care of Mr. Boyd
Judge Wm. Daniel Jr.
Lynchburg, Va.

John Warwick Daniel, 1842-1910, future U.S. senator and noted orator.

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 158