Henry Asbury to Richard Yates

State of Illinois

Executive Department.

Springfield June 23rd 1864

Provost Marshals Office

Fourth Congressional Dist Ills

Quincy May 30 1864

To His Excellency

Richard Yates

Springfield Ills Governor:

On Saturday a poor Irish Soldier presented himself at these HeadQuarters asking transportation to join his Regiment in the front. He seemed much worn down and broken in spirit whilst telling me his sad story. He had been to Iowa to try to learn the fate of his children and comes back impressed with the belief that they have all been murdered by the man Williams who with his son a youth of 17.

he says are both deserters from the 119th Ills Regt. Vol Infy. He learned that they had gone to Idaho, and he thought that if I would write to you that you could communicate his story to the Governor of Colorado, Idaho, Nevada & Montana and join in a general effort to hunt this man Williams around the world.

I have written General Fiske at St Joseph desiring him to communicate with military commanders throughout the country West of him. and as I promised the soldier, Governor, I send you this. He seemed to think that Governor Yates could have the scoundrel caught and to believe that nothing was impossible for you to do

I am Governor

over,

Very Respectfully

Your obedt servant

(Signed) Henry Asbury

Capt & Provost Marshal

4th Dist Ills

Official Copy

John S. Loomis.

Col & ADC