NA, RRB 12/17A/1862

Grenada Miss
17 Dec 1862
 
Lt Genl Pemberton
 
General,
   I desire to apply through you for a commission as Captain in the Engineer Corps of the Provisional Army. I have been engaged in that Service for twelve months under appointment from Generals Polk, Beauregard and Bragg. I was first appointed Chief Engineer of the 2d Division of the Western Department in Dec 1861, by Major Genl L. Polk then Commanding, & placed in charge of the defenses of the Mississippi River at Columbus, Island 10 and Fort Pillow. Upon the abandonment of that line, I accompanied Genl Polk to Corinth, where the Engineer Corps of the Several Armies were united under Major Gilmer as chief & subsequently under Captain Lockett of your Staff, and Col Pegram, under each of whom, I served & to whom I refer you for information of my character & capacity. I afterwards received from Genl Beauregard the command of a battalion of Pioneers with the rank & pay of Major. Subject to the approval of the President, & the appointment was sent to Richmond by Genl Beauregard, but never afterwards heard from. Upon Genl Braggs departure for Chattanooga in July last, I was detached from the Engineer Corps then under Col Pegram, and assigned to duty with Major General Price, as Chief Engineer of the District of the Tennessee, in which capacity I served till the retreat of our Army to Abbeville, when I again reported to Captain Lockett, with whom I am now serving under the immediate command of Captain P. Robinson, to whom, & to Genl Price, I would also refer you. I am informed that when appointed as Chief Engineer of the District of the Tennessee, General Bragg made application for a commission for me, to date from the 16 Dec 1861, the period of my appointment from General Polk. Whether so or not, I have heard nothing from it. I have stated thus briefly General, my connection with the Service, that you may know whether to interest yourself in my application for a commission. Any steps you may take to advance it will be most kindly appreciated.
Yours Most respectfully
Minor Meriwether

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