Richard H. Laughlin to Richard Yates

Rock Island Barracks December 26th 1863

His Excellency Richard Yates

Executive Mansion

Springfield Illinois

Respected Sir

I desire to know if there is any way by which I can be permitted to rejoin my Regiment and again follow that war scarred Banner which has led me through so many hard fought battles I was a member of Company I 31st Illinois Infantry and was with my company and Regiment in every engagement in which that gallant Regt participated up to that of Raymond Mississippi the 12th day of last May where I received a painful and injurious wound for which offence I have been disarmed and sent to the reer and compelled to wear instead of the uniform of our army a miserable looking kind of mongrel between a Coat and a Jacket designed expressly to let every person who chances to se me know without the trouble

of an inquiry the full extent of my humiliation And all that has been done in accordance with no Law that was in existence at the time I enlisted and therefore I do not feel any more bound in honor to obey that Law than one of the local laws of Enland or France Yet it appears that I am bound by force to obey it whether I am willing or not

I hope you will pardon the liberty I have taken in writing to you as I do not know what way to try to seek redress If you will answer this communication pleas direct to 10th Co 2nd Battalion I. C. Rock Island Barracks

Yours in the bond of loyalty and friendship

Richard H Laughlin

Laughlin Rich'd.

Rock Island Dec 26 1863.

Has been arrested & is now confined in Barracks, wishes to be ordered to his Regt.

Answer

Executive Office Dec 31, 63