1861 May 8 Fredericksburg, Virginia

To Brig. Genl. Cocke
Culpepper Court House, Va.

(Private)
General
May I ask you to
do me the favor to explain the man
-ner in which the Administration of
Va, attempted and perhaps suceed
-ed in depriving me of the rank con
-ferred upon me when I accepted
service in the State?

The change has been made without
my consent, and without my knowl
-edge until consummated. I therefore
consider it as done in violation of
the faith of the state pledged to
me by his excellency the Governor,
confirmed by the Council and ap
proved by the Convention of the State
of Virginia.

If the sanctions given me for pro
-tection of my professional posi
-tion were of no obligation I have
been taught a lesson on short
notice, since entering the service of the

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State of Virginia!

Not having embarked in the
great cause in which we are all
engaged from merecenary motives
I have endeavored to restrain, as
far as I could any manifestation
of the irritation I very naturally
feel under a combination of
adverse influences.

Without therefore entering into
a discussion of the subject, in all
points of view, I am desirous of have
ing your opinion as to my position,
believing, however, that I am justi
fied in claiming my rank as given
when I accepted service in the
State of Virginia.

Be pleased to write me as your
earliest convenience, and to believe
me as ever

Very sincerely yours
Daniel Ruggles

MSS 640