Robert H. Paddock to Richard Yates

St. Louis Mo

May 1 1861

To His Excellency

Governor Yates

of Illinois

Sir

Before stating my request, it is proper that I inform you who I am. I am one of the Faculty of the Missouri Medical College, located in this city.

Am a Vermonter by birth, a graduate of Yale College, Conn. in arts, and a graduate of the Vt. Medical College in Medicine and Surgery. Have been a professor of Anatomy in the medical colleges of Ohio and Massachusetts for ten years, and am now a professor in the Mo. Med. Coll. Can furnish any references desired of a personal or professional character.

Now for my request. - It is simply this - A commission as Surgeon in the

Army of the United States. I see by the last requisition of the President that troops for the regular service, enlisted for three and five years are called for.

Our miserable governor furnishes none; hence I am compelled to apply to our neighboring state. I wish to go into the service permanently, and not for a few months. These new regiments will furnish an opportunity. I wish to avail myself of it.

I shall be happy to call on you at Springfield, with such endorsers as you may desire, at such time as you may designate, if you are disposed to second my request.

Very respectfully yours

Robert H. Paddock.

Dr R.H. Paddock

ans'd