Without a personal acquaintance, I respect and honor you for gallant service in the field.
You have had my young friend Henry Meyer with you and have learned to esteem him. I have known him from a boy, as an interesting youth, and as a gentleman by education and association, and know that when he entered the Army as a Private he was honored and beloved, and from zeal and love of country he left a comfortable home and lucrative place.
I am very fond of him for his personal merit and have confidence in commending him to you in every way in which he can serve you in our sacred cause.
He is now a 2d Lieut. in a New York Regt. and will doubtless be able soon to fill a more prominent place.
For the favor you have shown him, and for your gallant and distinguished services to the country, I entertain the highest respect for you and thank and honor you and beg to subscribe myself your friend and most obd't serv't.
H. Paulding,
Rear Admiral and Comdt.
To Genl. J. Kilpatrick,
Army of the Potomac.
EXPLANATION OF NON-MUSTER AS CAPTAIN.
I hereby certify that Henry C. Meyer, late 2d Lieutenant 24th N. Y. Cavalry, was severely wounded in action on the 17th day of June before Petersburg, Va., 1864; that there was a Commission from the Governor of New York making said Meyer a Captain in said Regiment, and that owing to an irregularity in the mails said Commission did not arrive at the Head Quarters of the command until about the 20th inst.; and further, that said Meyer was acting in the capacity of Captain by authority of the Col. commanding, and that he was absent and prevented from being mustered by no fault of his; that said Meyer was a gallant and meritorious officer and deserving said promotion.