d, as I had not remustered previous to capture, I
was now regarded supernumerary. I wish to remain in the service
until the close of the war, and so expressed myself before I fell
into the hands of the enemy. Fourteen months in rebel prisons has
not increased my respect for "Southern chivalry"--in short I have
some old scores to settle.

I write, Colonel, to ascertain if you will be kind enough to advise
me what steps I had better take to secure a new commission in the
Cavalry Corps, and to ask if you will favor me with a letter of
recommendation to Governor Fenton. It was suggested to me at
Washington that I should place my case before him, and, if I
conclude to do so, a note from you will be of great value.

I learn through Captain Downing that I was commissioned a first
lieutenant upon your recommendation soon after my capture. If so, I
avail myself of this opportunity to acknowledge my deep sense of
the favor, and to thank you very cordially for remembering me at a
time when I was entirely dependent upon your impartial decisions
for advancement in your command.

I made my escape from the rebel prison at Columbia, South Carolina,
November twenty-sixth, 1864, was recaptured December fifteenth by a
Confederate outpost near Springfield, Georgia; escaped a second
time the following day and was retaken by a detachment of Texan
cavalry under General Wheeler; was tried as a spy at Springfield;
escaped a third time from Sylvania on the nineteenth of December,
and reached the Federal lines near Savannah, four days later, and
twenty-eight days after my escape from Columbia. I was at General
Kilpatrick's headquarters on the Ogeechee, December twenty-sixth.
The general was in the most exuberant spirits, and entertained me
with stories of the Great March from Atlanta to the sea. He desired
to be remembered to all the officers and men of his old cavalry
division in Virginia.

I expect to be mustered out of service to-day, and if so, shall
start this evening for my home in Northern New York, which I have
not visited since entering the army three years ago.

Soliciting a response at your earliest convenience,

I have the honor to remain, Colonel,

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,