Arlington Heights,
Tuesday, August 26th, 1862

Dear Sir: --

we are compelled much against our will, to trouble the highest authority that a soldier can appeal to. We are members of Capt. John M. Jones' Company, from Ebensburg, Cambria County Pa., and belong to the 133 regiment, commanded by Col. Spiekman. We have a Second Lieutenant, whom we are anxious to see removed. He is not capable to discharge the duties required of him. We wish to have officers who are able to instruct us in the present drill, but our Second Lieutenant, cannot do this.

Will you, kind sir, interfere in our behalf, it is the desire of the whole company that you will remove our Second Lieutenant, Francis M. Flannagin, from the company, so as to enable us to elect a man who is thoroughly acquainted in the knowledge of drill, and who has seen service during the present war. Such a one, is to be found serving as a private in our company, Richard M. Jones. He was commissioned, by your honor, in April 1861, as a Lieutenant in the Scott Legion, and served with credit to the regiment and himself, for three months. His business affairs m from enlisting in the three years service but when he found a country was in actual need of all able body men, he, unhesitatingly came forth, and is now to be found in our midst. Although a private, he is, nevertheless, called upon twice at day to drill the company which he does in a first rate manner.

We are anxious to place him over us, knowing that such an object must be accomplished before we shall be fit to go into active duty.

We now close, imploring you to interfere in our behalf, and ask you pardon for thus intruding upon you.

The members of Capt. John M. Jones' Company,
133rd Pennsylvania Regiment

Col. Spiekman
Washington, D.C.