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Lindell Hotel
Saint Louis Mo Sept 17, 1864
To His Excellency Richd Yates Governor of Illinois Springfield, Ill
Governor
At the close of the year 1862, Brig. Genl. A. W. Ellett organized the Mississippi Marine Brigade, recruiting therefor from Hospitals and convalescent Camps those Soldiers who by Surgeon's Certificate were declare incapable for field Service but supposed to be able to act as Marines on the Miss. River. In compliance with Special Orders No. 89 Hd. Qrs Dept of the Missouri, Maj. Genl. Curtis Commanding. (198) One hundred and ninety eight soldiers from your state were mustered out of their respective State organizations and sworn into the said Marine Brigade. They have now served in said Brigade about eighteen months, many of them have previously served an equal length of time in your State Organizations, thus completing the full period of their enlistment.
They have appointed me their agent to procure an order from the President of the United
States for their discharge, and I am now on my way to Washington City with the view of obtaining such an order.
The Miss. Marine Brigade is composed of soldiers from sixteen States, a Copy of this Letter has been sent to the Governors of each state.
This Brigade has been disbanded by order of Maj. Genl. Canby and placed on Garrison duty, and if fully discharged from service by order of the President many of them doubtless will re-enlist as Veterans from their respective States. And on behalf of the Soldiers enlisted in said Brigade from your State, I have most respectfully to ask of your Excellency that you indite a letter of commendation of a request for their discharge to his Excellency A. Lincoln and enclose the same under cover to me in care of Charles B. Brady, Room No. 4 Adjutant Genl's Office Washington D.C.
May it please your Excellency I am Your most obdt Servt
James Hart Purdy
James H. Purday - St. Louis Aug 30th 1864 He is on his way to Washington to induce the President of US to have the men composing Miss Marine Brigade discharged. Wants a letter of commendation to the President. (File.)