Camp Tennally, August 29th, 1861
Dear Father:-
Again I address you. The day I mailed the last letter I sent you, I visited Mr. Green as I told you I would. I got a pass from Genl. McCall and went down to the city. I went immediately to the jail and there saw Mr. G. Poor man! He was in great agony of mind. As soon as he saw me through the door, he called me to him. I went up to him and he reach[ed] out his hand through the iron bars and grasped mine with the energy of a drowning man. He said he was glad to see me, glad to know he had friends to sympathize with him in his trouble. He declared that he was innocent of the charge laid against him and appealed to God to witness the same. He talked about his wife and innocent babes that he had left behind him, spoke of you—said he wished you were here to help him. He had sent for Cousel [counsel?] and his lawyer, Mr. ______, a member of the Methodist Church, just came while I was there and had a private interview with him. Mr. G. then called me to the door of his cell and asked me to let him use my money which he had in his possession. He said he had no money with him and wanted mine for his cousel [counsel]. I, of course, gave it to him. He said he would be out in a day or two—just as soon as the matter would be investigated. I think it was one of the most touching sight[s] I ever saw. He seemed almost frantic. As Col. McCalmont had told me there was something wrong with the mail some way and rather seemed to think Mr. G. might possibly be guilty, I thought he was, likely, —guilty. It was hard to think so. But when I saw him and talked with him, the explanation which he gave of the affair compelled me to believe him innocent. He asked me to procure some paper and ink, which I did. He wrote a short note to his wife and requested me to do the same. I did so, enclosing his note and left him going directly to the Post Office and mailing the same. Last night he got out of jail and came up to camp where he is now. I think he has not had his final hearing yet, but is out on bail. There is a much more lenient feeling toward him by the regiment than at first. Almost everyone thinks he will come out clear. Heaven grant that he may for I think he is an innocent man!
There will be a desperate battle soon. The Rebels are coming very near us. They line the Potomac from Great Falls down to Alexandria. There was a skirmish last night at Fort Ellsworth. Four of our men were killed. We could hear the cannon booming out on the evening breeze. We lay on our arms last night. Our orders are to have two days’ rations cooked in advance and to keep that much provision ahead so we can go at a moment’s warning.
Genl. McClellan crossed the Potomac last night at Washington with about thirty thousand men. You may expect something soon.
For the present, Adieu.
Your affectionate son, James
Next posting: September 9, 2061
Jonathan E. Helmreich
College Historian
Allegheny College
Meadville, PA 16335