| Richmond Va. |
| August 22, 1863 |
| |
|
Col J. F. Gilmer
|
| Chief of Engineer Bureau C. S. A. |
| |
| Sir, |
| I have the honor to apply for an
appointment as 1st Lieut of Engineers in the Provisional Army of the
Confederate States, and respectfully submit the following in
relation to my experience as a Civil Engineer. |
| I was appointed 2nd Assistant Engineer
on the enlargement of the Erie Canal by W. J. Mc??? Esq. State
Engineer N. Y. , in January 1852, and remained on that until Decr
1854, was then appointed Asst Engineer on the Florida R. R. and
remained on that and the Florida Central Rail Road until Jan'y 1858
at which date, I was employed to run certain boundary lines in the
South West: to wit: The Western boundary of Arkansas. The 98th
Meridian from Red River to the Canadian. The 100th Meridian (Boundary
of Texas) also two lines separating the Cherokees and the Creeks. I
had on these Surveys the entire charge of the party in the field and
was employed for nearly two years. |
| Testimonials as to my to diligence and
accuracy on that work cannot be supplied for the reason that the U.
S. Commissioner who accompanied the party is a resident of the U. S.
and I am unable to ascertain the whereabouts of the commissioner on
the part of the State of Arkansas. The latter was Capt. Janus
Williams of Savannah, formerly of the U. S. Army. |
| I further respectfully submit the
following papers: |
| First |
From Capt Prestman Act'g Chf Engineer Army of
Tennessee |
| Second |
" Lt
Steele Engineer
Corps
"
" |
| Third |
"
Capt Bradford Co H 1st Regt Engineers P. A. C. S. |
|
Capt Bradford was associated with me as
Engineer on the Florida Rail Road |
| Fourth |
From Lt Col Pourt A Adjt Gen Army of Tennessee |
|
and Lt Col Beard Inspr
Gen
"
" |
|
with the Endorsement of General Mackall Chf of
Staff |
| Fifth |
From Col McKinstry Provost Marshall Army of
Tennessee |
|
and the Endorsement of Hon Jno A Campbell Asst
Secy of War |
| Sixth |
A new endorsement prepared at General Bragg's
suggestion with his remarks endorsed |
|
| The Fifth and sixth papers
were prepared with a view to any appt in the Adjt Genls Dept in May
last, but were not presented, as I was informed that owing to the
great number of officers unassigned no applicants were wanted. And
these two last papers are merely submitted to show my standing at
the Head Quarters of the Army of Tennessee. |
| I have written for other testimonials as
to my professional fitness for the position saught, but as the
parties are scattered and distant, it will take time to procure
them. When received they will be submitted. |
| I sincerely believe that I can perform
the duties of a 1st Lieut of Engineers satisfactorily. |
| Should I receive an appointment would be
glad to be assigned to duty with Genl Bragg or Genl Johnston's Army. |
| I was born in the State of New York have
been a citizen of Florida since 1845, and am Thirty two years old. |
| Very respectfully |
| Your obt svt |
| Jason M. Fairbanks |