| Holly Springs 24 Oct 1862 |
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Capt
Rives
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| Chief of Engineer Bureau |
| Richmond |
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Sir,
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| I desire to apply through you for a
commission as Major of Engineers Provisional Army C. S. I am now
acting in the capacity of Chief Engineer of the District of the
Tennessee, on Genl Price's staff, having been assigned to that duty by
Genl Bragg on the departure of his army from the Tupelo for Kentucky
in July last. In December I received the appointment of Chief Engineer
2d Division Western Department, with the rank & pay of Major, from
Major General Polk, then Commanding at Columbus Ky. I remained with
Genl Polk till the junction of his army at Corinth with that of Genl
Johnston, and the battle of Shiloh. I was then sent on detached
Services by Genl Beauregard to Fort Pillow & other points on the
Miss. River, after discharging which, I returned, and was assigned by
special order of Genl Beauregard to the Command of a pioneer
battalion, and he forwarded my name to the War Department for
commission as Major. I remained in command of the battalion till
latter part of July when it was disbanded, and I was assigned to my
present position with General Price. Thus far I have never sought a
commission though occupying for nearly a year, the several positions
named, through the voluntary & unsolicited appointment of the
Generals in command. This absence of a commission you know involves a
number of technical difficulties to the civilian in the discharge of
duties pertaining to the position & to avoid these I seek at I
have been employed for the last 14 years before the war, on various
Railways & the levees of the Miss River, as Civil Engineer, and
could refer you to a number of prominent gentlemen well known to the
President, but will only mention Major Champneys who visited Richmond
recently & spoke to you upon the subject of my appointment. Should
you have time or inclination to favor this application, I shall thank
you to write me care Major Genl Price, at Holly Springs Miss, to be
forwarded to such point as his army may be at the time. |
| Very respectfully |
| Minor Meriwether |
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