.MTAwMg.NjU2MjQ

  I came to my work as I promised, was here all of last week, spent Saturday and Sunday at Gfd. got your letters, and had a long talk with Congressman Washburn.   He says that the matter of detail lies with the President, and not with Gen. Sherman, that Grant told him [2 words underlined] that this college might select it's officer and he should be ordered here, he consequently advises me to do as I originally (Sept. 9th) determined, get a delay if I can as he thinks that with time [2 words underlined] he can get me the detail for a year without my giving up my cavalry commission.   This then is my only chance of remaining an officer of the Tenth, for I must [strike] stay East through the winter, at least, and if I don't get detailed here as Capt. 10th Cav. I shall transfer rather than lose the position.
    I presume that if you should say that you would rather get along without me a year than have me transfer, it would decide the matter, but I don't know that I will ask you to do so, as I must not, considering the state of my affairs bind [underline] myself to return to my reg't. even then, altho' I presume [underline] I should be ready to do so.
    But in this matter of delay, if [underline] you would rather have me be an officer of the Tenth detached [underline] a year, rather [strike] than to have me cease to be connected with the regiment.   I hope you will do what you can for me, put on a strong [underline] favorable endorsement.   You see I ask the delay, as I originally wrote it, under cover of making a trial trip [2 words underline] this first term before deciding as to transfer, in reality [2 words underline] I now [underline] hope by [underline] this delay to hold on to my commission in the 10th, which I must exchange for one in infantry, if I don't get the delay. [underline from which to delay]

Of course it would not do for me to let this be known at Army Hd. Qrs.