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POLK Papers: July 24, 1861
1861, July 24
William Seawell, Greenville, Alabama, to Bishop Polk, re: the pleasure he experiences in the inaguration of the confederate government and the Bishop's appointment and acceptance; his indescribable satisafaction when he read the order No. 1 to the Army. 2pp.
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Greenville Ala July 24/61
Major Gen L Polk Memphis Tenn
My Dear Sir
Nothing has given me more pleasure since the inauguration of the Confederate Government than your high military appointment, except it be your acceptance of the position. It has given sanctity to our cause-and is worth more to it, than the recent victory at Manassas.
I have read with a satisfaction which I can not describe, your order No 1. to the Army. I told an Episcopal Clergyman that it sounded like one of Napoleon the 1sts Bulle tins to the Grand Armie - or rather like Peter the Hermit calling
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upon Christendom, to drive the Infidels from the Holy Land.
With your ancestral ante cedents & your own personal merits, I expect from your present position, great service to our cause, and a harvest of renown to yourself.
Accept my Dear General with a heart warm with the recollection of boyhood and thoroughly devoted to the cause of our country, the congratu -lations & best wishes of your early & constant friend
Wm Seawell
PS My only son 18 years old leaves to-mor -row for Virginia, as 1st Scout in the Yancey Guards - Col Foys Regiment-11 Ala.