1862 September 29 Richmond, Va.

[In this letter, dated “Richmond, September 29th, 1862”, John Warwick Daniel, a 1st Lt. and Adjutant of the 11th regiment of the Virginia Volunteers, writes to Governor John Letcher of Virginia]

                         Richmond Sept. 29th 1862.

His Excellency John Letcher,
          Governor of Virginia.
                     Sir:
                                 You may recollect
that about one year ago Brig-
Genl. then Col. Jno. Echols addres-
sed to you a letter recommend-
ding me for promotion in
the Provisional Army of Va. for
“gallant & meritorious conduct”
in the battle of Manassas.
     You expressed regret that you
were unable to confer that
honor as the Provisional Army
of the State was soon to be disban-
ded, but transferred the testimo-
nial to the War Department of
the Confederacy accompanying
it by your own very kind
and warm recommdation [recommendation].
     The Secretary of War upon
receiving the papers tendered
me the appointment of 2nd Lieut.

[page 2]
in the regular C. S. Army, but
being not of age I was compel-
led to decline, and there being
no other vacancy, no farther
action was taken in the
premises.
     I am again about
to apply to the President for
promotion from the rank of
1st Lieut. & Adjutant (a posi-
tion not in the regular line
of advancement) and presum-
ming upon your former favor-
able consideration I venture
to request that you will
again oblige me by your
personal recommendation.
     I have just returned woun-  
ded from the battlefield of
Boonsboro, and hence my
absence from my Command.
     As a voucher of my good
conduct since my credentials
from Genl. Echols were pre-
sented to you, I accompany
this le communication with
a letter from Lt. Col. Lang-
horne of my regiment,  

[page 3]
the only prominent officer
of my command acces-
sible at this time.
              With high regard
                   I am
              Very Respectfully
                 John W. Daniel
                  1st Lt. & Adjutant
                       11th Regmt. Va. Vols.
[page 4]
[Note apparently written by Governor Letcher:]
Lt. J. W. Daniel
asking recom-
mendation for promotion;
cheerfully giv-
en, and sent to
the Sec. of War
Octo 3rd J. L.
1862

[Lt. Col. Maurice Scaisbrooke Langhorne]

John Warwick Daniel, 1842-1910, disabled in 1864 in the Battle of the Wilderness, later a University of Virginia graduate, lawyer, U.S. Senator from Virginia and famous orator, known as the "Lame Lion of Lynchburg.}

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 15096