Richard Yates to W. L. Church, George W. Gage, and others

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February 10th 4.

Messrs. W. L. Church. George W Gage. and others

Committee &c.

Chicago.

Gentleman.

I sincerely regret that imperative Engagements will prevent me from being present at the dinner to be given to one of Chicago most competent and gallant Officers

Colonel John Mason Loomis.

At the first tap of the drum in 1861. This John was one of the first forerunners of Chicago, who came to Springfield to see "what was going on". to "preach" about discipline and order in organization and to "prepare the way" for salvation of the National life. He pledged a display of military genius by the citizen

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soldiery of Chicago which would keep pace with the energy and patriotic impulse of her people. I believed what you said of him and in his own prophecies, and I never commissioned a Colonel with greater confidence, and no man has to a more gratifying extent performed his whole duty to his men - to the service and to the State & Country than he whom you honor at the social board of the Tremont House.

In organization, drill, discipline, tenacious adherence to duty - in laborious marches and hard fighting his regiment is specially distinguished in the history of battlefields which stamp our armies as equal to those of any land or age. Reports from Brigade, Division and Army Commanders all point to the command of Colonel Loomis as one of the most reliable and trust-worthy of the

great regiments which Illinois has given to the service of the country.

He is a worthy scion of New England, transplanted to our beautiful West, and infused with its progressive genius. He has sustained the sterling qualities of Forefathers who landed at Plymouth Rock and gave the World the first Charter of Religious Liberty and Republican Government and who illustrated the pages of history with the deeds of Yorktown and Valley Forge Ticonderoga and Bunker Hill.-

He has manfully contended with those Chivalrous gentleman who would make "slavery the chief corner stone", and leave his native hills and beautiful valley - its intelligence, its wealth of genius, its poetry and native songs "out in the Cold"

He has triumphed and they have been ingloriously defeated and now rapidly

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approach the hour of "subjugation"

It is then highly proper that you should give him a cordial Welcome, and send him back with a firmer heart to where the commands assigned him have always been lead. [to?] the post of danger and of honor.

Here's a health,

"To Chicago,- to Illinois and her Veteran Volunteers"

Truly Yours.

Richd Yates