FINAL DISCHARGE ON ACCOUNT OF DISABILITY FROM WOUNDS
War Department,
Adjt. Genl's Office, Washington, D. C.
October 13th, 1864.
Special Order}
No. 345. }
(Extract.)
51. The following named officers are hereby honorably discharged the Service of the United States on account of physical disability from wounds received in action, with condition that they shall receive no final payments until they have satisfied the Pay Department that they are not indebted to the Government.
2nd Lt. H. C. Meyer, 24th N. Y. Cav'y.[7]
[7] I was discharged as 2nd Lieutenant because no opportunity occurred to permit my being mustered in as Captain before I was wounded. Congress, however, recognized all such cases, and subsequent legislation gave all officers the rank they were eligible to—mine being Captain. Subsequently I received a commission as Brevet Major, stated to be for "gallant and meritorious services."—H. C. M.
By Order of the Secretary of War.
E. A. Townsend,
A. A. Gen'l.
Hd. Qrs. 2nd Cav. Division,
Oct. 23rd, '64.
(Official.)
A. H. Bibber,
A. A. A. Gen'l.
Hd. Qrs. 24th N. Y. Cavly.,
Feb. 20th, 1865.
C. P. Williams,
(Official Copy.) Lt. and Act. Adjt.
[The following letter was never presented.]
Navy Yard, New York,
Decr. 23d, 1863.
My Dear Mr. Potts:
The bearer of this is Henry C. Meyer, my young friend who has gallantly served in the field with Generals Kilpatrick and Gregg.
He is to my knowledge a gentleman by education and association, and in every way calculated to fill the place of a First Lieutenant.
I have given a letter to the Adj't-General, and if you can speak a good word for him you will do me a great kindness.
All his attributes are those of a gentleman.
Your friend,
H. Paulding.
John Potts, Esq.,
Chief Clerk, War Department.
Navy Yard, New York,
Dec. 23rd, 1863.
Sir: I take leave, most respectfully, to commend to your Excellency's consideration my young friend, Henry C. Meyer, a private in Second N. Y. Light Cavalry. He is intelligent, of a highly interesting and unexceptionable character, well educated, and in all his attributes of a gentleman well calculated to fill the place of an officer.
He has been serving in the field with Genls. Kilpatrick and Gregg for eighteen months, and his commanding officers testify to his gallantry and his manly bearing.
In speaking thus highly of Mr. Meyer I do so from personal knowledge, having known him from a child.
I trust your Excellency may be able to advance this young gentleman to a position worthy of his merit, feeling assured it will be for the interest of the public service.
With high respect, your Excellency's most ob'd't serv't,
H. Paulding,
Rear Admiral.
His Excellency,
Horatio Seymour,
Governor of the State of New York.
Navy Yard, New York,
Decr. 23rd, 1863.
My Dear General:
My young friend, Henry C. Meyer, of the 2nd N. York Light Cavalry, has been serving in the field with Generals Kilpatrick and Gregg for eighteen months as a private, and his gallantry and manly bearing are well attested.
I have known him from childhood as estimable and charming in all his attributes as a gentleman.
He is well educated, high-toned in character, and in every way a young gentleman of great merit.
He entered the service from the love of a soldier's life and motives of patriotism.
He has won advancement by his service in the field and will make an excellent officer.
If you can give him a helping hand, I am sure you will. I have no acquaintance with the Sec. of War or General-in-Chief, and therefore commend the young gentleman to you as one of our fraternity when the Rebellion commenced.
I have the honor to be, with high respect and esteem, your friend and most obdt servt.
H. Paulding,
Rear Admiral.
To Genl. E. D. Townsend,
Adjt. Genl., U. S. Army,
Washington.
(True copy.)