Richard H. Laughlin to Richard Yates

Rock Island August 13th 1864

His Excellency

Richd Yates Springfield

Respected Governor

I see it announced in the Chicago Journal of last evening that a Regimt is to be raised in this state to do garrison duty at Alton for 12 months and that officers for the same will be commisioned by you upon Recomendation Now there is no one here knows any thing to to recomend me for unless some of the sick men would testify that I have been an attentive nurse but if the fact of my having served 2 years n the 31st Illinois and allways

having done my duty is Recomendation enough I am at your service for any thing from Colonel to 2nd Lieutenant My present term of service will expire the 1st of November next and I am willing to serve 1 year or 10 years if need if placed in a position to be useful

Enclosed I will send you a recomendation gratuitously given by Lieut now Captain Moore of my original Company and can confidently refer to Maj. Almon and Col. McCook each of whom were Captains of the same Company or to Gen. Logan who as you know first commanded the Regiment

Pleas pardon me if I have used unbecoming

forwardness and let me hear from you at your earliest convenience

And pleas return the accompanying recomendation

Yours Respectfully

Richard H Laughlin

Laughlin, Richard H.

Rock Island Aug 13 1864

Wants any position from Colonel to 2nd Lieut. in the new Regiment. Was in 31st Inf two years

Aug 22nd 64.

Ansd & Procl. sent

Write him & send Proc