Fort Welles S.C.

Aug 8^th 1862

 

Major.

            Pardon me for trespassing upon you but I came down to the boat early the morning she sailed, to see you but was disappointed—What I wish to say is, that I want Lieut Colwell to have the Captaincy of Co H instead of myself, for this reason, by the resignation of Major Sisson there is another vacant Majority which it is the opinion here that Cap^t Day will probably have and I want his Company in preference to any other. It is the heighth of my ambition to command a Light Battery and I prefer to wait if I can hope to obtain it thereby, and I think I am as competent for it as any other Lieut. or Captain even, excepting Day. You may say, and truly too, that Captain Day may not be the second Major, but even though he be not, some other Captain will, and my prospect for the then vacant Captaincy will be equally / good. Therefore if my appointment has not been made, or can be altered if it has, I earnestly desire that Lieut Colwell should have Co H instead of myself, which will make him rank me as now, and that I should have Co C when Captain Day is promoted to Major. Please use your influence to bring this arrangement about and I shall feel perfectly satisfied and contented. Olney comes home in the "Arago" and numerous resignations are in but will not be accepted although Bucklin approves and forwards them all. You would be surprised to see how demoralized the Regiment has become in a few days and I would suggest that if Col Brown is to return he should do so very soon and if not you ought to and correct the abuses that make me ashamed of my brother Officers. I hope you may return and then all will be harmonious after a few days, necessary for the acceptance, of one or two resignations. Please drop a line about the above matter and oblige. Yours respectfully,

                                                                                   

C R Brayton

SOURCES