Alexander Kelly McClure to Eli Slifer, July 23, 1861

Chambersburg July 23

D Sir-

What a sad chapter in our National History is that of Sunday last. If not speedily redeemed, our Nationality will tremble in the [scale?] with a more than doubtful issue.

The 200,000 rejected men, who were turned home sad & disappointed three months ago might now have their camps at Richmond. What a commentary upon our apology for a government.

Penna seems to be crippled at every step. Her troops were badly officered & leave a record, which, however justifiable when closely scrutinized, will ever be a blot upon our fame.

We have good men in all our regiments. Cant they be forced to the surface. The 2d (Col [Stumbaughs?]) has a Lieutenant (Stitzel) in one of our Chambersburg Companies, who is a first class military man; but he has the modesty of [one word illegible], & is not a politician. It must be so in all of the regiments. Do give this point special attention, and as regiments are reorganized, let all the efforts of the Departments be directed to having the men well officered. Dont hesitate to refuse commissions where combinations put incompetent men at the head of our troops.

I have nothing from below - expecting to [hear] daily

Col Eli Slifer                     Thine                 A K McClure