Letter from Louis Wagner to C. W. Foster Requesting Permanent Help at Camp William Penn

You are undoubtedly aware that no one, not even an Enlisted man has been attached to this post and that the whole organization was completed with such assistance as I could pick up from time to time

This naturally compelled me to do the work several men entirely to [sic] much for my wounded leg

I should gladly continue to do the work but am not able and consequently ask for help

I do not make the above Statement in a complaining Spirit indeed I make it with reluctance, but when I find that in a short time I would be entirely unfit for duly I am forced to it

My reasons for asking the detachment of Lieut [illegible] Johnson & if possible Maj. Bardwell was the fact that they were fully acquainted with the routine of the camp

I would also ask for an order detaching Private Geo W Reidleman CC 7^th PV wounded at Gettysburg and at present in ward 3Y Chestnut Hill Hospital to report to me as Acting Post Quartermaster Sergeant

As additional officers for the regiments here, have reported since my last No Surgeons have reported/[illegible] has just reported

Should the Dept. conclude to promote I would urge the claims of Major F W Bardwell to the Lieutenant Colonel of the 3^rd Regs Maj B I am told passed the board at Washington  

---

9

with the highest honors; he is an excellent Civil Engineer, a graduate and professor at Harvard College and an excellent officer

His promotion would be well deserved and of benefit to the Service

Trusting that all of the above may meet your early attention I have the honor to remain

Very respectfully &c
Signed Louis Wagner
Lieut Col 88^th PV
Comg Post

Head Quarters William Penn
Chelten Hills Pa.
Aug 11 1863

Capt. CW Foster A.A.G.
Chief of Bureau Col’d Troops

Sir

I have the honor to report that Co’s A,” B,” & C” of the 6^th Regt U.S.C.T. are filled to 80 men and that Co D of the same regt has 21 men on its rolls. [underlined] Officers are much needed I have [underlined] temporarily detached Maj Bardwell of the 3^rd to command the 6^th also Lieuts [illegible] & Johnson as Post Adjutant & Quartermaster These latter officers assist in organizing the 6^th.

In this connection I would urge the claims of Lieuts George E Wagner & Robert B Beasto of my regt (88^th PV 2^nd Div 1^st Corps) whose applications for permission to appear before the Board were forwarded by the Supervising Committee I know these young men to be efficient officers and as they are very anxious to be come attached to a colored organization I trust that their applications may meet into a speedy & favorable consideration I also ask for an order from the Dept detaching Corp S L Spoffard CoS. 6^th Maine Vol and Private Jesse Starlan - Co - 3^rd Penna Cav, at present at the West Philadelphia Military Hospital [illegible], to report to me at this Post for duly as Post Commissary Sergeant & Clerk

I also ask your advice in the following matter: At the opening of the camp [illegible] Ordnancy & Ordnance Stores to arm the first regiment to be organized these were issued to the different squads as they reached camp and a memorandum of such issue Rept upon completion of the Regt I caused invoices + receipts to be made for the total amount issued, which Colonel Telghman declined to sign saying that he has really never received the articles specified I contend that he should receipt to me + secure himself by receipts from the Company Commanders