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From DigitalMaine Transcription Project
Brunswick July 14 1862.
To His Excellency Governor Washburn:
In pursuance of the offer of reinforcements for the war, I ask if your Excellency desires and will accept my service.
Perhaps it is not quite necessary to inform your Excellency who I am. I believe you will be satisfied with my antecedents. I am a son of Joshua Chamberlain of Brewer. For seven years past I have been Professor in Bowdoin College. I have always been interested in military matters, and what I do not know in that line, I know how to learn [last clause underlined].
Having been lately elected to a new department here, I am expecting to have leave, at the approaching commencement, to spend a year or more in Europe, in the service of the College. I am entirely unwilling, however, to accept this offer, if my Country needs my service or example here.
Your Excellency presides over the Educational,