Head Quarters, Middle Brook, May 16, 1779.
Sir: I have received your two favours of the 16th. of March and 10th. instant.
My letter to you at Valley forge expressed the opinion which was at that time received in the Artillery, though I believe it had not been practised upon. For some time past, a contrary idea has prevail' d in that corps conformable to the general principles of promotion in the army, and to the practice in the cavalry, which is on a similar establishment. This is, that all officers rise regimentally to the rank of Captain inclusively and from that in the line of Artillery. But on this principle you are entitled to fill the vacancy which happened by the death of Lt. Col. Strobogh and I have written to the Board of war accordingly. If your pretensions extend farther, they will have their due weight in a general settlement of relative rank. I am, etc. 46
[Note:The draft is in the writing of Alexander Hamilton. ]