Washington
My Dear Sir:
I went into active service immediately after seeing you last month. General Halleck forbade the transmission of mail matter; I am only able to write to you, in honour, now that I am ordered up to Washington to report for duty to the Commander in Chief.
I pass over events that, I learn, have transpired since, without reproaches—(I am pleased to offer proof of my cheerful deference to the State authorities) to remain to you that I find two officers here in command of regiments, commissioned as such by the Governor of Pennsylvania, who are said to owe their promotion to the fact of their obtaining leave of absence from the army to go home on recruiting service instead of remaining with their own regiments to share the privation and exposure of their comrades in the field.
I do not need to discuss the merits or demerits of these officers, but it is my duty to state to you in the most formal and emphatic manner that there are no less than four other officers,--Captains of my Regiment whose efficiency as commanders, no less than the meritorious services actually rendered by them, confer on them greatly higher claim to the Executive favor. I will name to you these officers, but I beg respectfully to ask, if their superior merits are made matter of the slightest question, that you will inform me at once, that testimony may be formally taken and the truth established without delay. My word should be enough; but I challenge contradiction.
A highly meritorious officer, particularly distinguished at the battle of Cross Keys, Captain L. W. Gifford, will I fear not be able to return to duty again. I recommend to the Governor accordingly:
Captain Taylor’s services in the field are a matter of public notoriety. As regards his personal gallantry, the history of the war does not furnish a parallel to his behavior at Harrisonburg. After leading his company in the fight as he did, and escaping as if by miracle, he had a right to his life and honor with it. But the battle over, when the enemy was coming on the field in the first flush and spirit of victory, Taylor returned to it. He faced the bullets of four regiments which swept it with a converging fire threatening instant death; he marched forward with head erect until he met the bayonets at his breast. Taylor did this to find his commander—to recover his body if he had fallen, or if he lived, to nurse him and share his captivity. The Confederate General Ewell showed his appreciation of such generous conduct. He offered Taylor his parole upon the spot. I think the Governor of Pennsylvania ought not to overlook it.
As an officer, ask any officer Taylor has served under, if he can find you a better man for a Colonelcy in the volunteer service. I have not met one I think his equal.
My testimony to Captain Niles’ merits is on file with the War Department. General Ord concurred with me in recommending him to Secretary Cameron for promotion. He was shot through the body leading the flankers at Dranesville—recovered, to the surprise of all, took but 6 weeks nursing at home, and has been on duty ever since. In the retreat from before Richmond he was the senior officer in the Rifle pits who, when a large part of the Regiment had gone off under Major Stone—refused to retire until he received orders to do so, and did not leave his position or surrender until he was hemmed in by entire Brigades. Captain Niles has two gallant Lieutenants who particularly deserve promotion, Truman and Mack. His advancement will make room for theirs.
Captain Irvin was with me at New Creek, where the first blood was shed by 3 years troops from Penna. in the service. Other actions have brought him much under my view. He was intrepid to a fault at Dranesville. I volunteer to state that my relations with this young officer have been of an unpleasant character, that due weight may be given to my testimony in his favor. He has mastered the tactics thoroughly, as a proficient in the school of the battalion, is energetic, painstaking, never shirks duty, nor asks to be relieved from it. He is a model to other officers in the care which he takes of his men in quarters. Irvin has good Lieutenants. His first, Hartshorn wounded in the Peninsula is a brave man and will make a first rate Captain.
Captain Blanchard I am personally attached to, and he commands Company I from my own county of McKean. He is popular, his merits will not be questioned—prompt, truthful, fearless, energetic, and always reliable, his friends will think him worthy of any command, and he has no enemies.
For the first time, an objection is urged against him—that he cannot follow the march on foot; the brave fellow having been shot through both legs at Harrisonburg,--for which reason it is said he must be mustered out of service. Our military authorities it seems have no power to promote him to a seat in saddle.
Captain Blanchard’s Lieutenants—Bell and Fenton Ward are excellent officers deserving of reward.
I ask field officers’ places in new Regiments for but two of these four officers. Two can be provided for in my own Regiment, and I have asked my friends who now have a voting majority there to regulate their course accordingly.
I appeal confidently to Governor Curtin’s sense of Justice, and generosity in favor of the remaining two.
Very respectfully.