Washington Sept. 20, 1861

To the Adjutant Gen U.S.A.

 

                                    Sir—In accordance with an order from the Hon Simon Cameron Secr’y of War authorising Lt. Iverson Kilpatrick 3d Artillery to raise 100 men for Mounted Rifle service at or near Fort Monroe I was appointed by Lt. Kilpatrick to take command of the above number of men and proceed to Fort Monroe which I did, arriving there the 28^th July, and reported to Gen. Butler by order. I organised them into two Companies and since then have commanded the Squadron composed of Cos. A. & B. Mounted Rifles. A further order from the Hon. Secr’y of War authorised Lt. Kilpatrick to raise a Regiment, which has been done their Headquarters being near Bladensburg. I applied from time to time for leave to rejoin the regiment, wishing for more active service in the field until Gen. Wool’s arrival at the Fortress, and ordering the squadron into quarters on the parapet selecting a Body guard of 25 men and informing me they were to be permanently stationed there. I resigned with the intention, and for the purpose, as I was Senior Captain, of applying for duty at the Headquarters of the regiment which is and was / the wish of all the Officers that I should including Col. Mansfield Davis. Zeal for the service caused my hasty resignation which Gen. Wool wished me to follow the next day to Washington but the necessary delay in settling my affairs there, until now prevented me from an earlier application for leave to withdraw my resignation. Having served under Gen. Scott in the Mexican Campaign in the 12^th Inf’try I cannot nor had I any intention of faltering at this critical time in my feeble defense of the Union and Constitution

 

            Major Henry Davies will hand you this in person, and I remain

 

                                                                                    Very Respectfully Yours

 

                                                                                    Lemuel Wales, late Capt

                                                                                    Co. A Harris Light Cavalry

 

I fully concur with the above statement

                                    Ivn Kilpatrick

                                    1^st Lt 1^st Artillery

                                    Lt. Col. Comdg. Davis Cavalry

                                                Henry G. Davies Jr

                                                            Major U.S.C.

 

[overleaf]

Respectfully re-

ferred to Major

General Wool, with

the request to report

and retrieve this

letter.

            Agt General.

AGOffice

Sept 24/61

SOURCES