Item No. 1450314

In this April 1863 letter written in the vicinity of Harpers Ferry, Captain George W. Smith of the 6th New York Heavy Artillery recommends a soldier for promotion to a staff position with General David Hunter. “Being honest, faithful, and of good character,” Smith writes of Corporal Louis H. Bleakley, “he is well qualified to fill a higher position, and he having received a letter to the effect of his being noticed as a candidate for a position on Genl. Hunter’s Staff, I cheerfully recommend him for the same.”

Smith addresses the letter to his brigade commander, Brigadier General William H. Morris, who signs and forwards the letter with his endorsement to the governor of New York. Morris was an 1851 West Point graduate, served on the staff of General John Peck through the Peninsula Campaign, and was commissioned colonel of the 6th New York Heavy Artillery. He would lead his regiment and brigade through May 1864, when he would be wounded at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House.

The letter was written on a 7 3/4” x 9 3/4” bifolium letter sheet. Light toning. Creased at the original folds. There are remnants of a previous album mounting on the verso. The partial text appears below:

Camp Haight, Md. Heights
April 7th 1863

Brig. Gen. Morris

General
I respectfully submit the following report of conduct and qualifications of Louis H. Bleakley, a Corpl. in Co. A.

Corpl. Bleakley enlisted at Yonkers, N.Y., in the month of August 1862, and since that time he has been obedient and attentive to his duties.

Being honest, faithful, and of good character, he is well qualified to fill a higher position, and he having received a letter to the effect of his being noticed as a candidate for a position on Genl. Hunter’s Staff, I cheerfully recommend him for the same.
Genl. I Remain Your Obedient Servant
G. W. Smith
Capt. Co. A, 6th N.Y.A.

[on verso]

Hd. Qrs. 2d Brigade
Apl. 7th 1863

I have taken pains to enquire concerning the character and military abilities of Corp. Bleakley, and from statements made to me by company officers am enabled to say he has been a faithful soldier and has given satisfaction in the regiment as a non-commissioned officer.
W. H. Morris
B. G.