WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1813-1817
6
To WILLIAM H. CRAWFORD 1
New Orleans Feby 16th 1816.
Mr. Crawford 2 Sir I address you in consequence of an error in my last pro- motion, which was to a 2d Lieut in the 39th RegP of Infy. My promotion is dated the 20th of May 1814, and the vacancy which I filled, occur[re]d on the 27th of March 1814. the deaths of Lieuts Somerville & Moulton gave me promotion, and I hope you will not conceive me intruding when I am contending for the rank which I am entitled to. If my commission bore date from the 28th of March, I would rank a Majority of the 2d Lieu ts in the army, & at present I am next to the last on the list of the 1st Regt of Infantry. In my opinion I have the best plea imaginable to second my petition to you. It is the following. all the Rank which I ha\'e I purchased with my Blood, at the Battle of the Horse shoe, and for a proper knowledge of my conduct on that day I will refer you to Majr Genl Jackson, under whose eye I was amongst the first to charge over the enemies Breastwork, and in whose pres- ence I receivd a desperate wound which is not yet healed, and is one reason for my wishing to remain in the army during peace- If you will be good enough to correct the error in my promotion, and transfer me to some regt where I will be benefited by my rank I will be under eternal obligations to you- If you will drop me a few lines informing me of your determination, It will be a favor which I will duly appreciate. My reasons for not refering you to my former Col Williams,~ are He has ever been inimical to me, since I have joined the Regiment he has written letters to officers, calculated to prejudice them against me. My statements and opinions relative to him are not vague. I can assure you that I can substantiate them by good vouchers. Sam Houston Lt 1st Regt Infantry [Addressed]: Hon: William H. Crawford Secy of War Wash· ington City Mail FREE. [Endorsed]: Refd to the Adjutant Genl New Orleans 16 Feby 181G Lt Saml Houston relative to rank- Doc No 1 March 1816
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