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Head Quarters 20th Maine Vols. 3 Bgd. 1st Div. 5th Corps. Army of the Potomac, near Culpepper Va Oc. 8, 1863
To His Excelency The Governor of Maine Dear Sir
Please find herewith letters of commendation for the military services of Col. Chamberlain. The letter of Genl. Rice is strongly endorced by Genl O.O. Howard but the original having been sent to the War Dept. I could not get a copy of the endorcement. Genl. Griffin's was sent to the War Department through the regular military channells, and received the endorcement + recommendation of Genl. Sykes & Meade.
If you will oblige me by sending me a letter of recommendation to place on file with those from military sources you will place me under [?] obligations to you.
When Col. C. entered the army he was a popular and successful Professor in Bowdoin College, and nothing but the truest kind of patriotism could have induced him to leave