To Abraham Lincoln
President of the U.S.

Sir:
I have the honor to present for your favorable consideration the name of Francis H. Cooper for a place as Lieutenant in the United States Army.
Mr. Cooper is now a Lieutenant in Co. A 41st Iowa Inftr. (late of the 14th Iowa Inftr.) and has been under my command for one year, and it affords me great pleasure to be able to testify, that he has proven himself worthy of my esteem and confidence. Lieutenant Cooper has virtually been in command of a Company nearly a year and has become well acquainted with Military discipline; he has proven himself a kind and patient officer, at the same time a firm, and strict disciplinarian; and furthermore I know him to be honest, patriotic, and the ? of a great, moral and unblemished character.

I am very Respectfully
Your Obt Lieut
John Polter
Major Commandant 41st
Rep Iowa Vol Inftr

Fort Randall D.T.
Oct 26th 1862 xx