| Grenada Miss |
| 17 Dec 1862 |
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| Lt Genl Pemberton |
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| General, |
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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.
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| Yours Most respectfully |
| Minor Meriwether |
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