Thaddeus Wetmore to Richard Yates

St Louis

April 18th 1864

Honored Sir.

I am an applicant to your Excellency for the appointment of Second lieutenant in the Colored Regiments of Illinois. I am temporarily Staying in St Louis, my residence is at Galesburg Illinois. I was a private in the 71 Regiment of Illinois Volunteers and was honorably discharged from that Regiment. I was recommended by Col Gilbert of same regiment for a position in the U S Army the original of which is in file in the Adj Genl office at Washington, a copy of which you will please find enclosed,

I am the son of the late Major Alphonse Wetmore who lost his right arm in the war of 1812, & the brother of the late Captain [Leonidas?] Wetmore of the 6th Regiment U S Army who fought under the gallant and much lamented General Wirth in Genl Scott's division in the Mexican War.

I was recommended to the favorable Consideration of your Excellency by Col. Clark E. Carr of Galesburg Ill for a letter for the appointment in the Army and which your Excellency was kind enough to give me.

I herewith enclose you the letter which I received from the Secretary of War in relation to appointments in the Army.

I am anxious to be in the front and help revenge the wrongs of our gallant Soldiers that have been butchered in Cold blood at Fort Pillow

recently, give me a position and an opportunity to do so and to help to bring to a close this wicked rebellion.

The Soldiers and all who I have had an opportunity to talk to are in favor of your being the U States Senator in the Expiration of Mr Richardson term.

Let me hear from you soon

I am very respectfully

Your Obedient Servant

Thaddeus K. Wetmore

His Excellency

Richard Yates

Governor of Illinois

Springfield

(Illinois)