Colonel JOSEPH G. TOTTEN,
Chief Engineer,
Washington City.
Sir:
"I have the honor to inform you that, on the 25th of April, First Sergeant Hastings of 'K' Company, Third Artillery, was, by order of General Worth, transferred to the Engineer Corps, subject to the approval of the Commander-in-Chief.
"Sergeant Hastings has the reputation of being one of the best first sergeants in the army. He was for 7 or 8 years orderly sergeant in the Second Infantry. He is an intimate friend of Sergeant Everett;[6] is a well educated man, very intelligent; a remarkably fine looking soldier, a good drill sergeant.
"By birth he is an Irishman—he came to this country quite young, and was brought up in Po'keepsie, N. Y.
"We were very much in want of an orderly sergeant. I think there can be no doubt but we have secured a prize.
"I would be glad if you would send a Sergeant's warrant for David H. Hastings. I respectfully recommend the following promotions and appointments in the engineer company:
Corporal Benjamin W. Coit, acting lance sergeant since 1st of February, to be sergeant from February 1st, 1847:
Artificer Charles A. Viregg, lance corporal since 1st of February, to be corporal from February 1st, 1847:
Artificer Ethan T. Sheldon, lance corporal since 1st of February, to be corporal from February 1st, 1847: