I am deeply distressed to learn that all of the officers in Battery E. are about to lose their commissions with the possible exception of the Captain. I am really distressed that this is so with respect to Eugene Jones. I happen to know Jones was working with the Dupont Powder people. He had a good job and one that made him immune from the draft. He gave it up, worked day and night, spent several hundred dollars of his own money in organizing this battery. He comes of as fine fighting stock as there is in the State. He and all of his people will be deeply humiliated if he should lose his commission.

It occurs to me that in view of the fact that these men undertook a work entirely new in which neither they nor any of their officers had ever had any training that many allowances should be made for them, and that they ought to be given many, many chances for making good before their resignations are required. I sincerely trust that some way may be found to relieve this distressing situation.