New horses had just been purchased for the battery, and we were preparing for work, when the mail brought the orders announcing the passage of the bill increasing the Commissary Department by four captains, to which were promoted Captains Shiras, Blair, Sherman, and Bowen.

I was ordered to take post at St.Louis, and to relieve Captain A.J.Smith, First Dragoons, who had been acting in that capacity for some months.

My commission bore date September 27,1850.

I proceeded forthwith to the city, relieved Captain Smith, and entered on the discharge of the duties of the office.
Colonel N.S.Clarke, Sixth Infantry, commanded the department; Major D.C.Buell was adjutant-general, and Captain W.S.Hancock was regimental quartermaster; Colonel Thomas Swords was the depot quartermaster, and we had our offices in the same building, on the corner of Washington Avenue and Second.

Subsequently Major S.Van Vliet relieved Colonel Swords.