.MjAyMw.MjUyNDA

Aug 22, 1862

Bro Washburn,

      As I understand the

facts are these. All the staff & five or six 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 promise

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