Request for a Pass from the Secretary Of War, Permitting Lt.-Col. Lusk to Return to the Scene of Conflict, May 4, 1863

Office Of The District Attorney Of The United States, For The Southern District Of NewYork.

New-York, May 4th, 1863.

Honorable Montgomery Blair,

My dear Sir:

This will introduce to you Wm. T. Lusk, Lt.-Col. of the “Blair Light Infantry” now organizing in this city. Col. Lusk can't rest easily here while the battle is raging around Fredericksburg. He therefore desires to reach the battlefield, that he may tender his services as Volunteer Aide, so long as active operations continue, and then return to his duties here. With this motive, he desires a pass from the Sec. of War, to the scene of conflict. Col. Lusk has been two years in service, was for a long time Aide to the late Gen. Stevens, has been in many battles, and I believe be loves to fight. He is a gentleman in character and culture, and a soldier by practice and experience. If you can aid him to obtain the pass he desires, I shall be very much obliged.

Respectfully,

Your Obedient Servant,

Ethan Allen.

Mr. Watson would oblige me by favoring the wishes of Col. Lusk.

Truly,

M. Blair.

P. H. Watson.

SOURCE: William Chittenden Lusk, Editor, War Letters of William Thompson Lusk, p. 281

Governor Edwin D. Morgan to Colonel Addison Farnsworth, January 28, 1863

[Regarding A Furlough For Capt. Lusk, On His Being Tendered The Lieut.-colonelcy Of The Blair Light Infantry]

54 & 56 Exchange Place,       

New-York, Jan. 28th, 1863.

Col. Addison Farnsworth,

Brooklyn.

Colonel:

The Lieutenant-Colonelcy of a regiment of N. Y. S. Volunteers now in process of organization has, I am informed, been tendered to Capt. Lusk of the 79th.

Before resigning his position in the 79th, Capt. Lusk desires to visit New-York for the purpose of ascertaining what the prospects of the completion of the new regiment are, and, therefore, desires a furlough for a few days. If it is in your power to grant him leave of absence I shall be pleased to have you do so. If you have not the power, please forward this application to the proper officer and oblige,

Yours respectfully,

E. D. Morgan.

Brooklyn, N. Y. Jan. 31st, 1863.

Respectfully referred to Lt.-Col. Morrison commanding 79th N. Y. V. with the request that, inasmuch as Capt. Lusk has been tendered the position of Lt.-Col. of a regiment now organizing, he will favorably endorse an application for that officer for a leave of absence.

A. Farnsworth, 

Col. 79tb N. Y. V.

SOURCE: William Chittenden Lusk, Editor, War Letters of William Thompson Lusk, p. 278-9