W. M. Thompson to Richard Yates

Mound City Illinois September 24/64

Govenor Richard Yates

Dear Sir

My self and Joseph Boswell Beeing privates in Company F of The eighteenth Regiment of Illinois Volunteers have been and are now engaged through our Friends in making up a Cavalry Company To go in To General Roseans Brigade we have Through our friends got forty good men enlisted for The Three Years service and now we ask of You That You give us a Ferlow of twenty dayes in which we can fill up The company an have it ready for service The men we have enlisted are all well mounted and will no dout be of invaluable service To The

Govornment in The present war My Self and Joseph Boswell has been all ready at considerable expense Raising The Company and have gone To The expence To perchase a vary fine Cavalry horse a price, and we would be vary much disappointed was we To fail in getting the privilege of filling up The company.

We have also secured The services of one of the ables drill masters in The State of Illinois who will immediately Take the company in To his charge for The purpose of drilling The compay Thouroughly, and Boswell and Myself are both well Drilled, and we are anxious and ambitious To have one of The best Companies That have been musterd in To service The men That have been Raised principaly in Jefferson and Hamilton Counties

Answer immediatly as The men are anxious To get in To The service Ferlows For Samuel Laird and Joseph Boswell Both of Company F - 18 - Regt Illinois Volunteers

Direct T Samuel Laird

Company F - 18 Reg't

Mound City Illinois

I recomend to your Honor, those two men. as. able responsible men. and hereby confirm the Above Statements

Very Resply W. M. Thompson.

Find Stamps enclosed

Laird & Boswell

18th Regiment

Asking for furlough

answered

Answer - They are in U. S. Service & will have to apply to Gen Fremont - and I cannot authorize for any company for Regt out of the State.