.MjAyMw.MjUyNDA

Aug 22, 1862 Bro Washburn,

      As I understand the

facts ^ are these. All the staff + five or sic of the Capts. not only prefer Mr. Leonard to Mr. Bates but greatly prefer him, + none of the above mentioned Capts. would ever have given Mr. B. the least encourage- ment if they had known Mr. L was talked of. They signed Mr B's paper in ignorance. I feel pretty sure this is so.

         Then as is the Col's [premiere?]

to Mr Bates. He had not given at all hope of hearing from Mr. Leonard. We both feared my letter to him had not been rec'd + therefore felt there was some danger that he did not hear from him though we hoped ^ to + Col. Chaplin told me several times that he should wait till the last day to get a letter. Mr. Bates knew this, + if Col. Chaplin