A. B. Austin to Richard Yates

Cass Ill Nov 26 1864

Governor Yates

Dear Sire I address you in behalf and at the request of my brother Charles G Austin Vet Volunteer in Company B. 53 Ill Inf. At the time of his reenlisting he was recomended to and as examined by the board of Officers at New Orleans appointed to examine applicants for commissions in negro regiments, he passed as or was recomended for a first Lieutenancy, he was told that most probably this commission would be sent to his home or he would be detailed on duty, after waiting some time he applied to you respecting his commission you recommended him to Adutant General Thomas, and through or by him through his assistants ordered to report to the examining board at Cincinnatti for examination as the examining board at New Orleans was not recognized outside of the department of the Gulf, he went before the board and again passed as first Lieutenant this was in last July, he has not heard any thing farther since about it, being in humble circumstances and having no powerful friends to recomend him, to the authorities at Washington, he requested me to state the facts to you trusting to you as the soldiers friend, wishing (if you deem it advisable) to call the attention of the Adutant General to the circumstances of his case, or that you will advise him to some course of action in the premises, our means are limited and he has already used a portion of his soldiers wages (being all he has) in expenses and sickness; for any information respecting him or either of us I will refer you to Henry Carpenter, Downes Grove Ill, Notary Public, and enrolling Officer

I remain yours &c A B Austin

Please address A B Austin, Cass, Ill

or Chas G Austin, Co B 35 reg Ill vet vol New Orleans

SA

Austin AB

Cass Ill Nov. 26/64

Recommends his Bro. Charles G Austin for a commission in a Negro Regt.