2nd Massachusetts Cavalry

Item DOC-6462

Description

Original Civil War Document written in period ink.


Camp 2nd Mass Vol Cavalry
Near Falls Church, Va
June 24, 1864

To Hon E. D. Townsend
Assist Adjutant General U.S.A.

Sir,

The undersigned Officers of the 2nd Mass Vol Cavalry having been appraised by G. O. No 216 War Department A. G. O. June 22, 1864 that Private T. M. Chisholm of Co. H of this regiment has been ordered to report to Brigadier General Chetlain, Louisville, KY with a view to his appointment as an officer of colored troops, take this method to express to the appointment power our firm conviction based upon our own observation for a long time and also the reports of his company officer upon which we can implicitly rely, that Private Chisholm is a man totally unfit for an officer or even a noncommissioned officer of any troops, either colored or white, the principal reason for which being a want of moral energy on his part sufficient to make him a willing cleanly, and spirited private soldier much less to render him fit to assume to discharge the duties and responsibilities devolving upon an officer of any grade whatever.

We make this statement because we consider that the interests of the service require it.

We are sir
Very respectfully
Your obedient servants