W. W. Stewart to Richard Yates

Chicago Aug 31st 1861

His Excellency

Hon Richard Yates

Dear Sir

You may possibly remember that in June last I was in your office in Springfield, with Hon B. W. Raymond & Gen H. L. Stewart of this city - & was presented to you by the Latter - who is my uncle - At that time I desired to know of you, if there is any way I might be able to make my time, services & Self of avail & use to you, in our then (and now) exhisting difficulties, & in this greatly accumulated labor, & responsibilities which those difficulties have (and do) imposed on your Excellency - You then replied "there is at present no oportunity, "but possibly in the future some

"Exigency & occasion may present "itself - When I shall recollect "the profer -

I desire now only to renew the above to your Excellency -

I am not an applicant before You, for any particular position

My Profession is that of Law, with only a limited knowledge & experience in "Military Affairs "& Consequently I could better perform such duties as might partake more of the Civilian than Military - at least until ordinary tuition, time & practice should better fit me in "War Tactics" - This however would not take long -

I may take the liberty of refering you - "for my statues" - to Messrss Huntington, Goodel, Curran & [Heacox?] of your city - & Messrs Wilson & Hubbard of your Staff - Very respectfully

Your obt Servt

Wm W. Stewart

I shall be gratified to hear from Your Excellency at your early convenience

W.W.S.

W W Stewart

Chicago

for position