Confederate States of America,
War Department.
Richmond, Dec 31st 1861.
Sir,
You are hereby informed that the President has appointed you Captain – To take rank Dec 10 /61
Adjt Genls Dept
In the Provisional Army in the service of the Confederate States. You are requested to signify your acceptance or non-acceptance of said appointment: and should you accept you will sign before a magistrate the oath of office herewith, and forward the same with your letter of acceptance to this Department. Report for duty to Genl Lee
J. P. Benjamin
Secretary of War
Capt. Walter H. Taylor
Asst. Adjt. Genl P.A.C.S.
Thru Genl Lee
Source: The Archives of the Robert E. Lee Memorial Foundation, Papers of the Lee Family, Box 8 , M2009.279
Transcribed by Caitlin Connelly, 2016 July 11
