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Skinner is a prisoner at Richmond, 2nd Lieut Morril is now in command and as he could not perform both the duty of Captain and Lieutenant I had at his suggestion temporarily appointed as Lieutenants the individuals I sent forward to you for promotion. They are very worthy men and will make excellent officers. I hope therefore that their commission will soon be forthcoming. A brevet appointment might possibly as regards 1st Lieut, answer the purpose an order had recently been issued, that soldiers when taken by the enemy will be considered as discharged from the service but am not sure whether said order applies to officers. Our regiment is today in quite a flourishing condition, having rec'd [?] a suit of blue, they now appear quite like regulars and were it not for this blunder or mishap in regard to Major I should feel quite satisfied however as I said before Capt Chaplain may by exertion become a good Field Officer. Dr. Morrison has arrived and taken hold of his department in good earnest. So I have of course as regards his case no fault to find I shall I think before long detail one or two Lieutenants or a captain for recruiting service, but our regt. is