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Hd. Qr Provost Guard Gibsons Brigade
In the Field W^of Atlanta Ga 23 Aug 1864

T^o Col James Kennard

Col

I hope the liberties I take in addressing of you with these few lines will be excused, since the almost entire depletion on the ranks of my Reg^t. I am now left without command. My Company having been reduced to only 4 or 5 men bearing arms. I am now assigned to duty in the Provost Guard of the Brigade. My motive in being thus troublesome is to beg of you should an opportunity offer in your department which I might be employed to a [greater?] advantage and of more usefulness to the confederate service than at present

I consider myself competent [?] [operation?] & machinery in any department or Branch connected therewith being a machinist and engineer by profession having experience of many years both in the building and Superintendance of machinery of all kind.

Should you deem proper even in any other branch were you think I would be of service I would be most happy to serve you.

The last time I was employed in your dep^t