WM. C. Kibbe to Simon Cameron, September 6, 1861

Hon. SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War:

Str: A report having reached hear that James W. Denver, of California, has been appointed and commissioned as a brigadier-general, U. S. Army, to command the troops to be raised in this State, I deem it my duty as a Union man to give you the status occupied by him in the estimation of all true Union men in this State, and especially of those who have manifested their patriotism and loyalty by volunteering their services for the war. Many of the officers who have been mustered into the service openly declare that if General Denver assumes the command over them that they will at once resign; that they have not only no confidence in his loyalty, but on the contrary they believe him to be at least a sympathizer with the rebel cause and opposed to the war, and also that he is totally unfitted in point of military skill or experience to command a brigade. One of their reasons for doubting his loyalty is founded upon a letter of his recently published in a secession paper in this State (the Marysville Express), an extract of which is herewith inclosed, and to which I call your attention. Its authenticity is undoubted. The Union men of this State, who to the number of 90,000 did on the 4th instant pledge the State of California to the support of the Union and the Administration, are surprised and pained beyond measure by the report that this man has been commissioned a brigadier-general. They are utterly at a loss to know why this appointment was conferred upon him, and 1 know it is indeed quite unacceptable to them. We are endeavoring to fill up the six regiments called for from this State, and I assure you that this report has proved our greatest obstacle. This letter is written in haste and only in pursuance of a duty I owe to our common cause and country, and of course not intended to be made public, but only to call your attention and that of the President to a fatal mistake which has been made, i. e., if it is intended that General Denver shall command California Volunteers.

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,