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Long Prairie Post Office
Wayne County Ill
Aug 23rd 1864
Honor. Richard Yates Governor
Springfield Ill
Sir
Excuse the liberty I take in thus trespassing on your time. I have seen your order calling for ten companies of troops and it does me good to see you thus preparing to defend the state from guerillas. Ten regiments would be better
Governor I desire a position in the regiment you are organising. I am qualified to fill any position in it I served the US as a Cap't Co & 7th Mo vols subsquently 59 " Ills. vols a period of 16 months and was compeled to resign on account of ill health. My health is now good and I want to serve my county if I can get
get a position something near equal to that I filled before.
Sir I would cheerfully accept of any position you might choose to give me either Colonel, Lieut, Colonel Major, Capt QM or Chaplain (I am an ordained Minister of the M. E. Church). I would accept thankfully a position in any regt. of Ills vols if you honor should see fit to appoint me one.
Gover Yates I do think old officers and soldiers are entitled to some consideration at your hands. I enlisted a company of 100 men at my own expense at a time when government did not pay for recruiting and served my country faithfully for 16 months during the hardest campaigns of the war. Look at the Regt. flag of the 59th Ills vols in your office let it tell part of the tail and now sir believing that the Crisis is on us and that the best men of the country ar needed
to command our troops I beg a position where I can assist in my feeble efforts to crush this rebellion
Sir I am and alway have been a radicle. I voted for you. I made 49 speeches for the Republican ticket in 1860
Let me respectfully refer you to Messrs. H. G. McPike, Capt Georg Abbott, Capt Dedrick and Dr Q H Weir Atton
Governor be pleased to notice my communication and pleas answer me.
I have the honor to be sir very respectfully your obedient servant
W. P. Renfro
Renfro. W. P.
Long Prairie Aug 23d 64
Wants a position in some regiment. Is very anxious to serve his country. has been in the service - will accept any position from Col. down to Chaplain.
Answered Aug 30 64
Snyder
ADC