Gabriel Netter to George D. Prentice

KYR-0001-027-0015.xml

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Accession Number

KYR-0001-027-0015

Document Genre

Correspondence

Repository

Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives

Collection

Office of the Governor, James F. Robinson: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Military Correspondence, 1862-1863

Item Location

R2-22 to R2-23

Place of Creation

Hartford, Ohio County, Kentucky

Date of Creation

21 August 1862

Dates Mentioned

1862-08-21

1862-08-16

1862-07-25

1862-08-14

Gabriel Netter to George D. Prentice, 21 August 1862, Office of the Governor, James F. Robinson: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Military Correspondence, 1862-1863, R2-22 to R2-23, Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, Frankfort, KY. Accessed via the Civil War Governors of Kentucky Digital Documentary Edition, discovery.civilwargovernors.org/document/KYR-0001-027-0015, (accessed April 18, 2024).

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Head Quarters Netter's Battalion
Hartford Ky Aug. 21/62
George D. Prentice Esq.

You have a right to expect me to do something- All my friends have- They have all been kind to me- I would not have it for the world- that they ever came to believe me unworthy of their kindness-

I, came to this place- without a man or a gun- At my arrival here the home guards- were all out- on a wild goose chase after guerrillas-

All that display was made to carry out Gen. Boyle's order to the Major- Having not over twenty men of his own- when he contrived to get his order to take the field-Maj. Shanks intendted his campaign as a recruiting expedition.

For that purpose. he swore to & before all who would listen that he was independent of anyone & that whoever joined him- might rely upon remaining all the time near ^to^ his home- as his business & men's was merely, to settle difficulties- protect the locks & dams on green river &. &.

Such things ruin the "élans" of the Vol. Service -- Once deceived- the volunteers' enthusiasm is gone forever -- All that imposes upon simple minded young men-

The home guards are tired even yet- of their useless trip- Were no account to take a trip with. when coming back from their excursion -- Found myself paralised- Could not do anything-

If Gen. Boyle- had not been imposed upon so thickly- he would have understood long ago- the deception Practiced upon him. in the matter.

Maj. Shanks raised most of the 17th Ky- one
year ago- After serving with it as a Suttler, Q. M. commissary & Major-for three months-the rgimental election came on- His men threw ~~[...]~~him out of his position of Major -- He went home then -- has been ^at^ home ever since --

He has now about "one hundred men in all belonging truly to his reg^t" -- I state facts- so help me God --

His regiment was accepted on the 16^th inst -- accepted as Cavalry -- accepted as nearly full -- -- --

Me, I cannot get any satisfaction --

Generals Finnell & Boyle -- ordered me both to raise cavalry- the last named Gen. giving me positive orders stating that fact -- & signing requisitions to that effect --

Gen. Finnell tells me, in his writen instructions- that my men shall be mounted as soon as permission can be obtained from the war department- That was on July the 25^th -- promising me also- that if permission was obtained for ^the raising of.^ twelve months troops- the privilege- should be extented to me- as well as to Shakelford & others --

Gen. Boyle told my Q. M. a few days ago- that I could not be received as such- that the order from the war dep^t, was imperative & universal- for the non acceptance of twelve months volunteers

As soon as I received the letter- stating, such to be the case -- I told my men. that they were free again- from any obligation to me or U.S. -- I had then three hundred men in camp --

After liberating them -- I called upon them to remain -- for the sake of their State -- cause -- & people -- for their honor's sake -- Two hundred of them remained by my side --

It was on the 14^th inst.

H. D. McHenry- (who will never forgive me -- to have done with 20 men, that which his brother the Col. refused to do with 150 -- )
has been at work in Frankfort- ever since his arrival & there -- doing all the mischief to my interest that he possibly can -- I have been changed from the 1, to the 3, years service -- Mr. Mc,Hy. wrote home, to his wife a letter which promenaded the streets here- with much show- that I would be ordered away from here & that such an order was made out before he M^cHy. reached Frankfort & -- -- -- --

I have not received any such order yet -- -- -- -- -- --

Shanks is prominating and the letter of McHenry's to-day -- stating that I will be changed from cavalry to infantry -- or cannot be accepted -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

My men have been changed once -- They must not be changed again -- Wishing me to do such a thing- would be wanting to drive me out of the service -- The men I recruited are for cavalry -- 100 of them armed (partly only [...] happily) & clothed as cavalrymen -- Wishing to impose upon me & men in any such way would be horrible -- Cannot be -- Would be wrong unfair & unjust --

Shanks, who does not know how to drill a squad -- with half of field officers in the same fix- waiting to enter the army untill -- -- -- -- -- -- (I won-t say it- but may God forgive me- think it nevertheless) had his rgt accepted- -- on the 16^th inst- as cavalry -- his strength then was 73 men --

I will not speak of myself -- but all that would be much more aggravating yet -- if it was not so very contemptible

All I ask now to go to work is -- Arms. Horses -- clothing.

My desires & wishes are to remain in the service -- My prayer to the great Uunknown "to let me die- if die I must on the battle field" -- with my face turned towards my country's foes my last breath expending itself, in a devout kiss -- to my the ~~fine~~ blade
drawn in defence of our noble & holy cause!

My men must remain "Cavalry" -- George D. Prentice -- for goodness sake -- for the sake of the service -- do no not foresake me -- My heart wishes me to stay -- "quand même" but mistreatment is a terrible blow, to any one -- Mr Prentice do not allow them to mistreat me --

The Governor I understand is a just man -- Will you not tell him- that I am worthy of his protection -- Tell him what may be expected from me -- All I ask is justice --

Mr Prentice -- believe me please -- as I am

Truly, Your friend & serv^t
Gabriel Netter.
Lt. Col.

Gov. Robinson, My Dear Sir, I have thought it best to send Col Netter's letter to you. He is unquestionably a most devoted and enthusiastic ~~and devoted~~ patriot, and one of the most chivalric officers in the service.

Very Truly Yours,
Geo. D. Prentice

Colo Netter &c
letter

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