Letters from the Front - Nathan Hayward

Sunday, March 1, 1863

Doctor Nathan Hayward penned a letter to his father and expressed his concern that Colonel Norman Hall would not be returning to command of their brigade. He felt that Colonel Hall should have been promoted for his excellent service during the battle at Fredericksburg. He was concerned that the politics displayed in the appointment of generals caused many competent and experienced officers to be overlooked in favor of those of inferior qualities and abilities, and feared that this pattern of appointment would continue.¹

References:
¹Nathan Hayward, "Letters," Association of Officers of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, Reports, Letters and Papers Appertaining to Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, vol. 1, p. 413-416, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.