For this honorable position I was indebted to Major D.C.Buell and General G.Mason Graham, to whom I have made full and due acknowledgment.

During the civil war, it was reported and charged that I owed my position to the personal friendship of Generals Bragg and Beauregard, and that, in taking up arms against the South, I had been guilty of a breach of hospitality and friendship.

I was not indebted to General Bragg, because he himself told me that he was not even aware that I was an applicant, and had favored the selection of Major Jenkins, another West Point graduate.

General Beauregard had nothing whatever to do with the matter..