Simon M. Levy letter to Samuel Smith, April 12, 1805

Fort Wilkinson Geoa.
Sir 12^th. April 1805 –
Altho’ I have not the honour of having a personal
acquaintance with you, I flatter myself I will be permitted to
address you this letter, hoping the liberty taken may be sanc
tioned, as under your command I volunteer’d my services in the
Maryland line, on the expedition of ’94, since which period
I have continued in service, and by my conduct rose
from the ranks to the grade of Lieut. of Engineers. –
I was Sir, one of your Brigade, who remained on
the Monongahalia with Genl. Morgan, and as we were
not hutted untill January ’95, the colds and damps,
brought on the Rheumatism, with which I was partially
afflicted for six winters, but severely every winter since 1800.
every medical aid has been tried in vain, in consequence of
which, I solicited of the Honle. Secretary of War, to be transferred to
the Artillery, in hopes of being stationed in Lower Louisiana,
for one or two years, as the only untried mean within my
knowledge, to regain the use of my limbs, and be eased of
Pain.- The Hon^le. Secretary was pleased to grant me a
furlough to visit this State, but the late Winter I felt as
severely as at

severely as at Detroit in ’95. As a transfer from the
Corps of Engineers to the Artillery will not affect the
Rank of any Officer of the latter Corps; I have Sir, to request
the particular favour of you, to mention the subject to
General Dearborn, thro’ whom only can the change take
place.
I have the honour to be very respectfully
Sir
your most obed^t. Serv^t.
Simon M Levy
Hon^le. Samuel Smith Esq^r.
Baltimore