-To Col. Felix Comfort from Louis Philippe D’Orleans –August 11, 1862

11 August 1862, Orleans House, Twickenham. Acknowledges 'your letter dated at Yorktown ;' it arrived 'just at the commencement of the grand contest in which we were driven from the Chickahominy to James river', and could not therefore be answered at that time. 'As soon as the army was extricated from its difficulties we were recalled to Europe by business of vital importance.' Has spoken of 'your regiment' to the commander in chief. Regrets not being able to see 'les Enfants Perdus' receive the baptism of fire and prove themselves 'at this trying time' worthy of the French name, 'but your turn will come, I am sure.' Has been assured that General Van Alien did not report unfavourably ; 'your regiment was detained at Gloster . . . on account of its being one of the newest, and in the opinion of the Inspector required a little more exercise in the drill to perfect it.' If any injustice has been shown, General McClellan will see that reparation is made as soon as he can attend to the matter.

Monsieur I. Eichthal, 'one of the first bankers of Paris,' is anxious about his son, from whom he has not heard since he enrolled in 'your regiment,' and who was 'sometime in the French army previous to his leaving for America (without his father's knowledge) ... I think that a promotion to some position suitable to his education and family would be a favour well deserved.' Would have written directly to General McClellan on this matter but considered 'you would be more likely to have opportunities of obtaining information . . . and more leisure to give me prompt advice ;' if possible, get some promotion for him and help him if he is sick or wounded; encloses a letter \missing\ from his father 'addressed to a person of my suite.'

Headed: Translation.

Endorsed: I hereby certify that the annexed is a true translation of an original letter in the French language addressed to Col. Felix Comfort by Louis Philippe d'Orleans. New York, Aug. 31,1863. John S. Bixly. Witness, Adrien Barbier.