U.S. Mil. Academy West Point 28 July 1854
Genl.
I have been requested by certain members of the 2nd Class to forward the accompg. specific pledges, entered into for the purpose of relieving their comrades Ferguson, Carroll, & Lee F. from the charges reported to you on the 24th Inst: & to state that they are the only members of the class now present at the Acady, the rest being on furlough; but that they feel assured that all will join in the pledge, if allowed the opportunity.
You may recollect that a similar pledge of the same class was forwd by me on the 28th Dec. 1853, for the purpose of relieving Cadets Ferguson & Lee F. from the consequences of their first offense, but was not accepted by the Dept. because the class to which Cadets Amory & Deveraux belonged, would not enter into the measure for their relief.
Cadet Ferguson having been suspended by sentence of Genl. Court Martial Order 42, 1 April ’54 for a subsequent offence, & put back into a lower class; is now a member of the 3rd Class, which is present at the Acady.
I have the honour to be Your obedt. Servt.
/s/
Superintendent's Daily Correspondence United States Military Academy
Superintendent's Letter Book No. 3, p. 125. Addressed “Genl. J. G. Totten Chief Engineer Washington City D.C.”