Title
Publisher
Date
Language
Identifier
Transcription
Alton Ill
May 5th 1861
Adj Genl
Ill
Sir
I have the honor to
report for the information of the
Govr & Cmdr in Chief, that I arrived
here late on the evening of the 3d,
and presented my letter to Colo
Cook early on the 4th. The Colo
received me, with all the polite
nefs and franknefs of a true
gentleman and soldier. The
Colo and all his officers I find
very zealous in the performance
of all their duties, and exceedingly
anxious to learn, and have receiv
ed all my advice and sugges
tions with the greatest Kindnefs -
I am satisfied that if the Colo
Rgt was propperly equipped
and clothed, he would soon
have a very efficient one - His
men, as the Gen is doubtlefs aware,
are destitute of comfortable clo
thing, the arms very insufficient,
(unfortunately the men having no
confidence in them) and but few
cartrige boxes and belts - Equipped
as they are, it would
be doing injustice to these
men to send them into the field,
and i cannot therefore, too strongly
urge the authorities, the necessity
of sending forward as early
as possible a good supply of
clothing, and all the military accou
trements, for the complete equip
ment of the Rgt The Colo has
labored under many disadvantages
since his arrival here - The place
was in no condition for the
reception of troops, a portion of
it, now occupied as quarters
having been previously used as
stables and corn sheds. The quar
ters are now habitable, but very
much crowded. A small expen
diture of money for lumber, to
make bunks, will make
them very comfortable, and if
there is any probability of this
post being occupied any
length of time, I regard this
expenditure absolutely neces
sary for the health and com
fort of the men -
I am Truly
Very Respy
Your obt sert
L. Y. Pitcher
Capt 8th U.S. [illegible]
[illegible]
Camp
Pitcher
as to Camp
at Alton