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[27] of the day for proficiency, and the next, drew down upon our defenceless heads the wrath of Col. Jones, the unpopular post commander, for setting his authority at defiance.

Oct. 1, J. Henry Sleeper, the newly appointed Captain of the Company, arrived. He had been pronoted to this position from a first lieutenancy in the First Massachusetts Battery. By his interference we were relieved from camp guard,— a change which we heartily appreciated, having never taken kindly to it.

Capt. Jacob Henry Sleeper was a Bostonian by birth, son of the Hon. Jacob Sleeper of the Governor's Council. He was twenty-three years of age and entered the army at the beginning of the war as 1st Lieutenant in the Fifth Massachusetts Infantry, where he won praise from his superiors for coolness and bravery in the first battle of Bull Run. Almost immediately after his time was out he joined Captain Porter's First Massachusetts Light Battery as Lieutenant and gained much credit for dashing bravery, coolness under fire and skill as an artillerist. Thus highly recommended he was appointed commander of the Tenth.

The following letters are self-explanatory:

Headquarters Artillery Brigade, 1st Div. 6th Army Corps, Camp near Harrison's Landing, Aug. 4, 1862.
Lieut. J. H. Sleeper of Porter's Battery ‘A,’ Mass. Vol. Art'y has been under my command some months. During that time I have observed him in the camp, on the march and on the battlefield, and it gives me pleasure to state that on all occasions and in all situations he has acquitted himself as a soldier should. He is an excellent officer and a good artillerist.

(Signed)

E. R. Platt, Captain 2d Artillery, Comd'g Artillery Brigade.

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