William D. Whipple to Richard Yates

                      Head-Quarters Department of the Cumberland,

                               Nashville Dec. 4th 1864.

To His Excellency

    Govornor Yates

       Springfield Ill.

               Govornor,

                             I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 29th lett. requesting the discharge from Military service of James Sherman Co. G, 44th Ill,

                              The Maj. Gen. Commanding directs me to reply that your communication has been forwarded to the Adjutant General for the action of the Secretary of War.  A Department Commander has no authority to discharge men from service except for disability, by sentence of Gen. Ct. Marshal and by reason of expiration of term of service.

                                                          Very respectfully

                                                            Your Obdt. Servt:

                                                                  Wm D. Whipple

                                                           Brig. Gen & Chief of Staff

Dept of Cumberland.

Nashville Dec 4th 64

Whipple W D Brig. Gen'l

Ans'r to app'rv on behalf of James Sherman

Attended to

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