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Confidential Col. Roberts Fort Corcoran Sept. 6

Head Quarters Fort Corcoran 2nd Regt. Maine Volunteers

Sept 6th, 1861

Dear Sir

On the 4th inst I telegraphed you as follows “Send Major. Commission to Captain, F. C. Foss,." Yesterday I telegraphed you to delay sending the same at present.

After looking at the matter I came to the conclusion (at the time I sent the first despatch [dispatch]), that if you exercised the power of promoting Field Officers, you might also exercise the same in relation to appointments, but a debate arising in regard to the question, among the commissioned officers, the same being overheard by me, I immediately ordered an election at 7 1/2 O Clock this eve at the same time countermanding my first despatch [dispatch]. The Election is just over and the result is as follows vis [viz]

1st Ballot 22 Votes necessary for a choice 12

Capt Daniel Chaplain 9-

2nd Whole number 22, Captain Chaplain twelve, the