Bernhard Miller to Richard Yates

A.D. 1861

Camp Defiance, Cairo May 15

To his Excellency, Richard Yates

Governor of the State of Illinois:

The undersigned, a resident of Peoria, desires to obtain a sutlership in the camp of the Illinois Volunteers stationed at present in Cairo. He would respectfully represent to your Excellency that he is somewhat advanced in age, has a large family to support and has recently met with severe pecuniary losses in his legitimate business, which were by no means occasioned by negligence or want of industry on his part. He has been living for four years in Peoria and can furnish ample references to the citizens of that city in proof of his good

habits and moral character. Previous to that time he was a resident of Belleville and can refer to that city in substantiation of the same.

He hopes that your Excellency will give a few moments consideration to this claim.

The following gentlemen have kindly permitted me to use their names, to which your Excellency may refer: George C. Bester, Post Master of Peoria and State Senator, Governor Gustavus P. Koerner, Belleville, John Scheel, Belleville.

Very Respectfully,

Bernhard Miller

Bernhard Miller

For Military appl

ansd