Assistant Secretary of War - Sending letters between North & South

Item LTR-5599

Description

Original Civil War letter. two pages, written in period ink.

War Department
Washington Oct 12, 1861

Major General John E. Wool
Commanding, Fortress Monroe

Sir,

Enclosed please find a letter to Miss J. A. MacRae of Fayetteville, North Carolina, which is sent to you to be forwarded to its address in case you deem it proper so to do.

This Department is of opinion that the transmission of letters between the North and the South, through the medium used in this case, should not in the future be allowed, except in very special cases. It is also advised that all letters hereafter forwarded by you, either North or South, be copied by one of your officers, the originals kept by you, and the copies forwarded to their destination. This is advised in order to prevent the transmission of intelligence by the means of secret or concealed writing on chemically prepared paper.

If these suggestions meet your approval please cause a notice thereof to be published in such manner ass to meet the public eye, and accomplish the purposes desired.


Respectfully,

Thomas A. Scott

Assistant Secretary of War