Headquarters 1st Army Corps, July 17, 1863.
Dear Father, — I received your note of July 13th, and hasten to answer it. I would like that position you speak of, and hope you can get it for me. Either that or a majority, I would like, and feel myself competent to fill such a position. I could get any number of recommendations for such a position, but would prefer not to do so, as I don’t care about having anything to do with getting it myself. If General Reynolds were alive, I could get a very high recommendation, and could get such probably from General Newton, although he does not know me well enough as yet. General Porter would do anything of the kind I wished, but I suppose anything from him would do me more harm than good at present. I think that General Sedgwick would be very willing, also, to help me. Colonel Hayes of my regiment, and General Barnes would both of them be glad to assist me. If you find that you can get me such a position, I wish you would try to get it in Griswold’s regiment, provided there are none others better than his. I could have my own way there. . . .
We move across the river in a day or two, but whether to Washington or Richmond, I don’t know. Probably for the latter place, although we have rather a small force for an advance in that direction.
I am much obliged to you for getting that present for Frank Balch. I meant to have written to you to do so, but on account of moving all the time, and the bustle and excitement attending the march, I forgot it.
Please let me know in your next letter how John Perry is and where he is staying. . . .
