1862 January 9 Centreville

My Dear Father:
I write from the head-
quarters of Genl. Beauregard’s adjutant where
I am for the purpose of ascertaining
the fate of the application which I
made about a week since for the purpose
authority to raise a company of Light
Artillery. Jno. Otey who is one of the
assistants has just examined the record
book, and I will give you the remarks
made on it as extracted. “Approved,
with the remark that Lieut. Daniel is a
young officer of promise” S. Garland Jr. Col.”
“Approved & forwarded R. F. Ewell. Brig. Genl.”
“Approved & forwarded James Longstreet Maj. Genl.”
“Disapproved fr because of the great quan-
tity of Artillery already in service & forwarded – G. T
Beauregard, Genl.” This decision I suppose
it will be difficult to overcome, although.
the proper influence at the War depart-
ment might still secure a favorable res-
ponse. My best chance however now
is I think with Grey Lathan. Genl. John-
ston as I have before said approved
& forwarded his application for a commission to

[age 2]
raise a battalion, and my friends assure
me that should it receive the assent
of the Secretary, I can easily procure
the detail to enrol[l] one of the Compan-
ies. Grey Lathan promised to give me
his assistance.
Our wing of the battalion as I
told you in my last goes on picket
tomorrow, and will remain the usual
period of three days. During that
time I shall have no opportunity
of writing you so you need feel no
uneasiness at my silence. I do not
think that there will be any danger
of an engagement while we are on post,
as the roads are extremely muddy,
and it will be impossible for the enemy
to advance.
I have not yet been able to
secure a copy of Mr. Ellet’s pamphlet
on Genl. McClellan’s course in the war.
Col. Garland however has promised to lend
me one which he expects to receive
in a few days.
Everything is quiet on our lines.
With the hope of hearing from you
in a few days, I remain
Your affectionate Son
John W. Daniel

[transcribed by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards with annotations by Robert K. Krick]

[John Marshall Warwick Otey, 1839-1882. Robert K. Krick]

MSS 158