West Point 17 March 1855
Colonel
At the request of the friends of Mr. Harry Brogden of Md: who I understand is an applicant for an appointment in one of the new Regts, I take pleasure in stating that he is a young gentleman of education; has been engaged in the profession of Civil Engineering for the last two or three years; & is active & accustomed to field service I remain very respy
Your Obt ServtR E Lee
Lt Col U.S.A.
Lee PapersLeyburn Library, Washington and Lee University
Transcribed in Francis Raymond Adams, Jr., An Annotated Edition of the Personal Letters of Robert E. Lee, April, 1855 - April, 1861, pp. 4 - 5.