Page 76

COMMENDATORY LETTERS

To President Lincoln
Headquarters 2^nd Brig. 3^rd Div., 15^th A. C.
Cartersville, Nov. 9^th, 1864.

His Excellency, a. Lincoln, President U. S.;
Sir: - Col. B. D. Dean, 26^th Mo. Vol., has served long and faithfully, his term of service will soon expire, he is a valuable officer and is well worthy of promotion. I respectfully commend him to your favorable consideration as an officer qualified for the office of Brigadier General of Volunteers. I have the honor to be, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,
Green B. Raum, Brig. Gen.

To Secretary of War Stanton
Kingston, Ga., Sept. 1^st, 1864.

Hon. E. M. Stanton, Sec’y of War, Washingotn, D. C. :
Sir: - We, the undersigned field officers of the 3^rd Div., 15^th A. C., most respectfully represent that we have been acquainted with Col. Benjamin D. Dean, 26^th Reg’t. Mo. Inft’y. Vols., since the spring of 1862, and for the greater portion of this time we have been more or less intimately associated with him in the army in the same Brigade of Division. We can cheerfully testify to his worth as an officer during the various campaigns, sieges and battles in which his regiment has been engaged. We know him to be patriotic, brave and efficient, popular so far as known

Page 77

and one of the best commanding officers in the Division. Therefore, believing it will be for the good of the service and a just compliment to an officer of highly deserving merit, we do sincerely recommend that he be promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General of Volunteers.

Respectfully, yours obediently,
P. P. Henderson, Lieut. Col. Com. 10^th Iowa Vol. John McFall, Lieut. Col. Com. 26^th Mo. Vol., Inf.; J. E. Tourtellotte, Col. 4^th Minn. Inf.; James C. Edson, Lieut, Col. 4^th Minn. Vol, Inf.; Jeff K. Scott, Lieut. Col. 59^th Ind. Vet. Vol. Inf.; Thos. A. McNaught, Maj. 59^th Ind. Vet. Vol. Inf.; Jas. I. Samminger, Lieut. Col. Com. 63^rd Reg. Ill. Vet. Vol. Inf.; Joseph K. Lemen, Maj. 63^rd Ill. Vol. Inf.: David Skeeles, Maj. 80^th Regt. Ohio Vol. Inf.; Pren Methem, Lieut. Col. 80^th Ohio Vol. Inf.; Niehle Buswell, Lieut. Col. 93^rd Ill. Vol.; James P. Files, Capt. Com. 56^th Ill.; J. M. Fisher, Maj. 93^rd Ill. Vol. Inf.: Chas. H. Jackson, Lieut. Col. 18^th Wis. Vol.; Edward J. Wood, Lieut. Col. 48^th Ind. Vol. Inf.; Barnet Byrket, Maj. 48^th Ind. Vol. Inf.; J. B. McCown, Col. 63^rd Reg. Ill. Inf.; John E. Smith, Brig. Gen. Com. Div.

TO U. S. SENATOR WILSON.
Headquarters 3^rd Div. 15^th A. C.
Office of A. C. of Musters.
Savannah, Ga., Dec. 27^th, 1864

Hon. H. Wilson, U. S. Senator, Washington D. C.;
My Esteemed Friend: - I write this for the purpose of introducing to you a friend and brother officer, Col. Benj. D. Dean, 26^th Mo. Vol., whom I have mustered out, because his regiment was, only, and who comes to Washington with papers of a very truthful (though flattering, to him) character, and the request contained in them I hope may be

Page 78

granted. It has been my good fortune to know him for some months and to have done business with him, I have also seen him under the fire of the enemy. In the office, he is quick and apt, as to the details of business, courteous, with his heart in the work, and the request made for him, if granted, could hardly fall on worthier shoulders. I am as ever,

Yours dutifully,
Geo. W. Hill, Capt. 13^th Inf.

FROM GEN. JOHN E. SMITH
Headquarters 3^rd Div. 15^th A. C.
Savannah, Ga., Jan. 10^th, 1865

Col. B. D. Dean, 26^th Reg. Mo. Vol. Inf.
Colonel: - Your term of service having expired, and your command mustered out, permit me to express my regrets that the United States loses the service of so valuable an officer as you have proven yourself. Efficient and faithful in the discharge of your duties and gentlemanly in your intercourse, you leave regretted by the whole command, and take with you my best wishes for your future welfare. Trusting that we may yet have the pleasure of welcoming your return to the service. I am truly yours,

John, E. Smith, Brig. Gen.