1862 October 30 Mobile

              Mobile  Oct 30 62
My dear Smith
                      I enquired
at the War Dept for yr
recommendations for the
appointment of Brig Genl
None could be found--Get
a strong one from Genl
Polk--go with it to Rich
-mond & urge yr claims
& say to Mr Randolph
that I want you with
me--I will write
him to day from
here--
               truly yrs
               JB Magruder
                  Majr Genl

I m assigned to duty in
Texas--Telegraph me
at Vicksburg---
to Maj Smith Bankhead
                on Gen Polks Staff Knox

[page 2]
ville Tennessee--to be sent
wherever he ma Genl Polk
may be-----

MSS 38-455