By the enclosed Extract from General Orders (which I have the honor to request after perusing, you will be pleased to seal & forward) my determination respecting the Proceedings of the Court Martial of which Col. Ricd Butler was President in the case of Capt. McCurdy, will be made known to you—As I do not consider Brig. General Hazen as commanding through out the State of Pennsylvania & consequently capable of Ordering Officers from the various posts of the State to attend at whatever place he may think proper—and as I have great reason to apprehend a spirit of faction & other ill consequences will be produced by the clashing sentiments of the different Officers concerned in the dispute, to the great detriment of service, unless measures are taken to prevent it; I have therefore taken the Liberty to trouble you with my request that you will appoint a Court Martial for the tryal of Capt. McCurdy whenever the circumstances may be convenient.

I suppose it will not be necessary to hasten this business at the present moment, because I do not see how the Court could proceed without some person to support the charges, which cannot be the case with the Gentleman at whose instance the prisoner was put in arrest, should the circumstances of Captain Asgill the Complainant (who you are sensible is now prevented from attending) finally debar him from carrying on the prosecution; I should presume the charges will [die] of course, & Capt. McCurdy must be released from his arrest—this will probably be ascertained in the course of a short time.

I do not enlarge on the subject, or apologize for the trouble, I am giving you; because I know you are perfectly acquainted with the matter, and are always ready to incur any personal trouble which will contribute to the public good. I have the honor to be &c. your most.