I took down all the but cannot find it anywhere. books and shook them one by one, and unless Eliza White has it, I do not know what has become of it. She was looking at it the last time I saw it. The one you spoilt with Indian Ink ought to be somewhere about the house. I will do my best to (find torn) it. I got a sneaking letter to-day from Chivers. Do not tell me anything about Annie I cannot bear to hear it now unless you can tell me that Mr. R. is dead. I have got the wedding ring. — and shall have no difficulty, I think, in getting a dress-coat. Wednesday Night. [Remainder of letter torn away, except] also the letter. Return the letter when you write. CHAPTER XIV. LETTERS RELATING TO POE. COMMENDATORY LETTERS IN THE WAR FORTRESS MONROE, VA., 20th Apl. 1829. He at Edgar Poe, late Serg't Major in the 1st Art'y, served under my command in H. Company 1st Reg't of Artillery, from June, 1827, to Jan'y, 1829, during which time his conduct was unexceptionable. once performed the duties of company clerk and assistant in the Subsistent Department, both of which duties were promptly and faithfully done. good, and intirely free from drinking. His habits are J. HOWARD, Lieut. 1st Artillery. In addition to the above I have to say that Edgar Poe was appointed Sergeant Major of the 1" Art'y on the 1" of Jan'y, 1829, and up to this date, has been 1 This group of letters concerns Poe's application for a cadet's warrant to enter the United States Military Academy at West Point, after his resignation from the army. He had entered the army under the assumed name of Edgar A. Perry. We take our copies from the originals - -verified at the War Department through the courtesy of Prof. E. R. Rawson. exemplary in his deportment, prompt & faithful in the discharge of his duties, and is highly worthy of confidence. H. W. GRISWOLD, FORTRESS MONROE, April 20th, 1829. I have known & had an opportunity of observing the conduct of the above mentioned Serg't-Maj. Poe some three months, during which his deportment has been highly praiseworthy & deserving of confidence. His education is of a very high order and he appears to be free from bad habits, in fact the testimony of Lt. Howard & Adjt. Griswold is full to that point. Understanding he is thro' his friends an applicant for cadet's warrant, I unhesitatingly recommend him as promising to acquit himself of the obligations of that station studiously and faithfully. W. J. WORTH, Lt. Col. Comd'g Fortress Monroe. RICHMOND, May 6th, 1829. DR SIR, The youth who presents this is the same alluded to by Lt. Howard, Capt. Griswold, Col. Worth, our representative & the speaker, the Hon'ble Andrew Stevenson, and my friend Major Jno. Campbell. He left me in consequence of some gambling at the University at Charlottesville, because (I presume) I refused to sanction a rule that the shopkeepers & others had adopted there, making Debts of Honor of all indiscretions. I have much pleasure in asserting that he stood his examination at the close of the year with great credit to himself. His history is short. He is the grandson of Quartermaster Gen'l Poe of Maryland, whose widow, as I understand, still receives a pension for the services or disability of her husband. Frankly, Sir, do I declare that he is no relation to me whatever; that I have many whom I have taken an active interest to promote theirs; with no other feeling than that, every man is my care, if he be in distress; for myself I ask nothing but I do request your kindness to aid this youth in the promotion of his future prospects. And it will afford me great pleasure to reciprocate any kindness you can show him. Pardon my frankness; but I address a soldier. The Hon'ble Yr ob'd't se'v't, JOHN H. EATON, SIR, Sec'y of War, Washington City. JOHN ALLAN. RICHMOND, VA., May 13th, 1829. Some of the friends of young Mr. Edgar Poe have solicited me to address a letter to you in his favor believing that it may be useful to him in his application to the Government for military service. I know Mr. Poe and am acquainted with the fact of his having been born under circumstances of great adversity. I also know from his own productions and other undoubted proofs that he is a young gentleman of genius and talents. I believe he is destined to be distinguished, since he has already gained reputation for talents and attainments at the University of Virginia. I think him possessed of feeling and character peculiarly intitling him to public patronage. I am entirely satisfied that the salutary system of military discipline will soon develope his honorable feelings, and elevated spirit, and prove him worthy of confidence. I would not write in his recommendation if I did not believe that he would remunerate the Government at some future day, by his services and talents, for whatever may be done for him. I have the honor to be ORDER No. 7. [Ingram.] ENGINEER DEpartment, WASHINGTON, February 8, 1831. At the General Court-Martial, of which Lieutenant Thomas J. Leslie, of the Corps of Engineers, is President, convened at West Point, New York, on the 5th ult., in virtue of Military Academy Order No. 46 dated the 31st December 1830, was arraigned and tried. ... Cadet E. A. Poe. The Court next proceeded to the trial of Cadet E. A. Poe of the U. S. Military Academy on the following charges and specifications: Charge 1st.Gross neglect of duty. Specification Ist. In this, that he, the said Cadet Poe, did absent himself from the following parades and |