Headquarters 1st Army Corps, June 4, 1863.
Dear Father, — Will you please make an application for my degree as A.M. I think that I receive it this year; if possible I shall try and get a leave of absence to come home for Commencement, but I am afraid that I shall stand a slim chance of getting it. . . .
I received a letter from Hannah yesterday, saying that I had received a commission as captain in my regiment. Will you please send me a copy of the paper announcing it. My regiment is at United States Ford at present, so that I have no chance to see my colonel about it at present.
I spoke to Palfrey this morning in regard to what you wrote about getting him a commission in the 55th. He was very much obliged to you, and said that Dr. Palfrey and Charles Hale were both trying to get him a commission, that he would not like to lose any chance for a commission that they might have obtained for him, by asking for one in the 55th. I think the best plan would be for you to see them, and if they have any chance of getting him a place in a white regiment, then you could aid them. If not, why then he would like a position in the 55th, and you three could probably obtain it for him. I would be very much obliged to you if you could get him a place. I enclose a note from him to you.
We are under orders to march at any moment, probably to resist any attempt the enemy may make to cross the river. The rascals are up to something, and I think it may be that they will try to cross the river above, and attack us. I think that we are waiting here simply to prevent the rebels opposite from going to Vicksburg. Were it not for the critical state of affairs there, I think we should go to Washington, in order to fill up the army with conscripts, and reorganize it. . . .
