Dear Sir I today received a letter from my Son, in which he mentioned his desire to receive the appointment you were so kind as to interest yourself about for him for which you will very sincerely receive my grateful thanks. Albert writes me Col Melton told him, that two vacancies now exist, but appointments for both have already been ordered, & that he Albert would be the next in order. Albert [?] he understood from you through John [?] (perhaps) that there were three vacancies, which third vacancy would bring Albert in. now my dear Sir will you excuse me for troubling you about this matter a Mothers anxiety will plead my apology. I am anxious to have my son nearer home. he has had chills & fever for the last 18 months I would be better satisfied were he near to me & this appointment I hope would accomplish this Alberts [?] is, if these vacancies are notified officially to the War Dept he should stand a better chance of receiving it. my motive  for troubling you is to request you if consistent with your duty & there is no impropriety in it to suggest to Col Butler or the Officer Commanding the Reg^mt to notify / the War Dept of the existence of these vacancies, & if proper at the same time make a special application that Al name would be

 

would fill one of these

SOURCES