Robert F. Winslow to Richard Yates

Princeton Bureau Co Ill June 20th 1861

To His Excellency Governor Yates

I see by the papers that Major [Hendin?] of the Chicago Zouave Regiment has declined the appointment as Major which your tendered him and that no appointment to fill that vacancy in the Regiment had yet been made. I have tried in various ways to secure a position in which I could serve my country in her present need but so far without success. I have had some ten years experience in Command of a Regiment in New York City and may without egotism claim to be qualified to do so here. I am 48 yrs of age – have

two of my sons in the service – one of whom is in Company A. of the same Zouave Regiment – and I now ask of you Sir to give me the appointment to fill the vacancy. I am in politics a Democrat but will yield to no man in the devotion I feel to our Union or in the desire I feel to sustain the administration in quelling the Southern Rebellion. I can furnish abundant evidence of qualification, and as to my habits there can be no objection as I am addicted to none that are regarded as a disqualification. I never drank a drop of [illegible] spirits in my life am free from any disease or disability I claim to possess great presence of mind in time of danger, and will [persevere?] to fight as long as I can have any one to fight with me or to fight. I am as poor as Lazarus and I would come to Springfield and urge

my claims in person but I trust to your generosity to give me as fair a chance under the Circumstances as if I had made my [illegible] in the Executive Chamber. Mr Owen Lovejoy tho a political opponent will do me the justice to say I am in all other respects a fitting person to fill the position I seek.

Yrs trly Robert F. Winslow

June 22

Robert F. Winslow asking appointment as major of Regt for State at large.

Ansd July 22. 1861