Near Culpepper CH 8 June 1863

 

My dear Mrs Davis

                                    Alth^o you seem to have forgotten the existence of the "Adjutant" I intend to take the liberty of writing you a "business letter" this evening & the subject will be "promotion"—that "Jack-o-lantern" of the soldier—always hoped & fought for, seldom coming. A few weeks since Col Walton recommended me for a higher grade (a Majority implied) in the Adj^t Genl^s Dep^t stating that I was now performing duties of Adj. Genl to him in his capacity of Chief of Artillery of the first Corps. Genl Longstreet gave the paper a favorable endorsement & so I understand did Genl Lee. I had asked Genl Chilton to return the paper to me after Genl Lee had seen it & he promised to do so, but forgetting so / small a matter I presume, it was forwarded to Genl Cooper who will, I presume, endorse it very handsomely, rule it with red ink, tie it up with red tape, and—why there will be an end on't. now to avoid this sad calamity befalling such a valuable state paper, "Your petitioner doth humbly pray" that you will stretch forth your saving hand & save the aforesaid paper from the fate impending, if you were to have it withdrawn & speak for me yourself. I am sure of the "single star". am I asking too much? And bye the bye speaking of stars dont you think that gold on red is much prettier than on yellow? I do most decidly. if instead of a Major in the Adj^t Genl^s Dep^t it could be by any diplomacy be changed to Major of Artillery, my branch for two long years, I would be the most grateful man alive. However Mrs Davis / will you permit me to place my fate in your keeping? I shall think no more of it until I hear from you. But I must say it is rather hard to see others going up, up, all around me & I still, after two years campaigning, the same "1^st L^t & Adj^t". I affect a little now, & sign "Adj^t Art'y 1 Corps". it sounds a little grander you know—Am I too ambitious?

           

The 1^st & 2^nd Corps are now here, all speak of our intended movements but no one knows where we are going or when. provisions & forage are very scarce, rather a bad start for a tour of invasion. some blunder somewhere. I saw Col Long yesterday & he informed me that Mrs M^cLean was still in R. present my kindest regards to her.

                                                                                   

I remain my dear Mrs Davis

Very Truly Yours

W^m M Owen

 

[overleaf]

 

Lt. W. M. Owen

 

wants promotion

 

I got Gen^l Preston to

apply for him as

Chief of Artillery &

he was made Major

 

[upside down] Lt Owen

SOURCES