[7]I was discharged as 2nd Lieutenant because no opportunity occurred to permit my being mustered in as Captain before I was wounded. Congress, however, recognized all such cases, and subsequent legislation gave all officers the rank they were eligible to—mine being Captain. Subsequently I received a commission as Brevet Major, stated to be for "gallant and meritorious services."—H. C. M.
[7]I was discharged as 2nd Lieutenant because no opportunity occurred to permit my being mustered in as Captain before I was wounded. Congress, however, recognized all such cases, and subsequent legislation gave all officers the rank they were eligible to—mine being Captain. Subsequently I received a commission as Brevet Major, stated to be for "gallant and meritorious services."—H. C. M.
By Order of the Secretary of War.
E. A. Townsend,A. A. Gen'l.
Hd. Qrs. 2nd Cav. Division,Oct. 23rd, '64.(Official.)A. H. Bibber,A. A. A. Gen'l.
Hd. Qrs. 24th N. Y. Cavly.,Feb. 20th, 1865.C. P. Williams,(Official Copy.) Lt. and Act. Adjt.
[The following letter was never presented.]
Navy Yard, New York,Decr. 23d, 1863.
My Dear Mr. Potts:
The bearer of this is Henry C. Meyer, my young friend who has gallantly served in the field with Generals Kilpatrick and Gregg.
He is to my knowledge a gentleman by education and association, and in every way calculated to fill the place of a First Lieutenant.
I have given a letter to the Adj't-General, and if you can speak a good word for him you will do me a great kindness.
All his attributes are those of a gentleman.
Your friend,H. Paulding.
John Potts, Esq.,Chief Clerk, War Department.
Navy Yard, New York,Dec. 23rd, 1863.
Sir: I take leave, most respectfully, to commend to your Excellency's consideration my young friend, Henry C. Meyer, a private in Second N. Y. Light Cavalry. He is intelligent, of a highly interesting and unexceptionable character, well educated, and in all his attributes of a gentleman well calculated to fill the place of an officer.
He has been serving in the field with Genls. Kilpatrick and Gregg for eighteen months, and his commanding officers testify to his gallantry and his manly bearing.
In speaking thus highly of Mr. Meyer I do so from personal knowledge, having known him from a child.
I trust your Excellency may be able to advance this young gentleman to a position worthy of his merit, feeling assured it will be for the interest of the public service.
With high respect, your Excellency's most ob'd't serv't,
H. Paulding,Rear Admiral.
His Excellency,Horatio Seymour,Governor of the State of New York.
Navy Yard, New York,Decr. 23rd, 1863.
My Dear General:
My young friend, Henry C. Meyer, of the 2nd N. York Light Cavalry, has been serving in the field with Generals Kilpatrick and Gregg for eighteen months as a private, and his gallantry and manly bearing are well attested.
I have known him from childhood as estimable and charming in all his attributes as a gentleman.
He is well educated, high-toned in character, and in every way a young gentleman of great merit.
He entered the service from the love of a soldier's life and motives of patriotism.
He has won advancement by his service in the field and will make an excellent officer.
If you can give him a helping hand, I am sure you will. I have no acquaintance with the Sec. of War or General-in-Chief, and therefore commend the young gentleman to you as one of our fraternity when the Rebellion commenced.
I have the honor to be, with high respect and esteem, your friend and most obdt servt.
H. Paulding,Rear Admiral.
To Genl. E. D. Townsend,Adjt. Genl., U. S. Army,Washington.(True copy.)
Adjutant-General's Office,Washington, Feb'y 10th, 1864.
Special Order}No. 66 }
(Extract.)
14. At the request of the Governor of New York, Private Henry C. Meyer, 2nd New York Cav'y, is hereby honorably discharged the Service of the United States to enable him to accept an appointment in another Regiment.
By order of the Secretary of War,E. D. Townsend,Ass't Ad'j't Gen.
H'd Q'r's Cav'y Corps,Feb. 12th, 1864.
(Official.)
E. B. Parsons,Capt. and A. A. A. G.
Head Q'r's 3rd Div. C. C,Feb. 12th, 1864.
(Official.)
L. G. Estes,Capt. and A. A. G.
Navy Yard, New York,Febr'y 16th, 1864.
My Dear General:
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.
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.
W. C. Newberry,Late Col. 24th N. Y. Cavalry.Bvt. Brig. Gen.
Sworn subscribed to before me }this 19th day of June, 1866, at }this city of Petersburg, Va. }Chas. Stringfellen, }[SEAL] Notary Public. }
[The following letter is highly prized as coming from Corporal Gundlach, of my Company, who, although wounded himself, waited on me until removed from the field hospital.]
[The following letter is highly prized as coming from Corporal Gundlach, of my Company, who, although wounded himself, waited on me until removed from the field hospital.]
West Seneca Centre, N. Y.October 14th, 1868.
Capt. H. C. Meyer,New York City.
Dear Sir: A few days back I was in Buffalo and stopped at Mr. Flach's store; I learned that you got married. Permit me, dear sir, to give you my best and sincere congratulation.
I always must and will respect you for your honesty, bravery, and your good moralic advices, which you used to give your subordinate. When others did their duty, you used to do three times more than you was obliged to do.
I would ask you for your likeness.
Your most obt. servant,Fred. Gundlach.
[The following statement with its endorsements was placed on file in the War Department.]
New York, November 19, 1891.
To the Adjutant-General of the Army,Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir: At the solicitation of friends I desire to place on record the fact, not heretofore officially reported, that I received a wound from a sabre at the battle of Brandy Station on the 9th of June, 1863.
I was then a private in the 2nd N. Y. Cavalry, detailed as clerk in the Adjutant-General's Department of the 2nd Division Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac.
That this circumstance was not reported at the time was due to the fact that I personally madeout the list of casualties occurring in the Division on the evening following the battle. My wound was not a severe one, though painful.
When it was suggested that I include my name, I declined to do so on the ground that its publication in the papers would needlessly alarm my parents, and consequently withheld it.
I was subsequently severely wounded at Petersburg and mustered out in consequence, which is a matter of record.
In making this request to have this circumstance go on record, I disclaim any permanent injury or any desire or intention of claiming any pension because of that wound.
This statement is corroborated herewith by General D. McM. Gregg, commanding the Division, and H. C. Weir, Capt. and Asst. Adjutant-General at the time.
Respectfully,Henry C. Meyer.Late Capt. and Bvt. Major,24th New York Cavalry.
The above was endorsed as follows:
The foregoing statement is correct and worthy of record, and I heartily recommend the same.
Very respectfully, your ob't serv't,Henry C. Weir,Late Bv't Lt. Col. and Major,Ass't Adjt. Gen'l, U. S. Vols.,2d Division, Cavalry Corps,A. O. Potomac.
Brooklyn, L. I., Nov. 25, '91.
Reading, Pa., Dec. 5th, 1891.
I fully concur in the recommendation of Colonel Weir, as I readily recall the fact mentioned within.
D. Mc.M. Gregg,Late Brig, and Bv't Maj. Gen'l Vols.,Com'd'g 2d Cav. Division, A. P.