October 18, 1861 (Friday): To Horse! Maybe, Not.

Governor Andrew G. Curtin of Pennsylvania

WAR DEPARTMENT,
October 18, 1861.

A. G. CURTIN,
Harrisburg:
If you can oblige Friedman, do so. That, with the authority given Campbell, will be about as much as we want from Pennsylvania.

THOMAS A. SCOTT.

HARRISBURG, October 18, 1861.


Honorable T. A. SCOTT,
Assistant Secretary of War:
You dispatch surprises me. I was led to expect a requisition for another regiment of cavalry, and have nearly enough companies to fill it. If Friedman raises the only regiment in Pennsylvania I must disband my companies for him. You may rest assured great dissatisfaction is growing out of the preference given to Philadelphia in cavalry, and if this regiment is authorized and country companies disbanded I must explain. I will send Friedman back. I can only do justice in that way. If you have cavalry enough from Pennsylvania, please say it positively and I will disband our companies and you will be relieved. Are you aware that you have eight German regiments from Philadelphia, two of cavalry?

A. G. CURTIN.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
October 18, 1861.

Governor CURTIN,
Harrisburg:
We shall endeavor to accommodate you. Do not disband. The cavalry department is now about filled.

THOMAS A. SCOTT.

Official Records, Series 1, Vol. 3, Part 1, Page 580

The cavalry was the first choice of many who raised regiments.  In Florida, for example, the governor complained on hearing of yet another cavalry unit being organized that any fighting there which required cavalry in that state would have to be the result of lamentable coastal defense.  In this instance, the able Governor Curtin of Pennsylvania has raised a cavalry regiment, only to find another from Philadelphia has been approved by the War Department (Scott was the assistant Secretary of War).  There were political as well as practical considerations.  Curtin had to be concerned with the appearance of Philadelphia receiving preference to the rural areas of the state.