T. A. Post to Richard Yates

St Louis Oct 15th/64

Dear Friend

I have just

written you a letter of some

length, directed to Spring

field, but to be forwarded

in case you are not there.

I write this fearing that

the other may not have

reached you. I have been dis

mifsed the Service, for

alleged grofs & unpardon

able negligence in suffer

ing the escape of a prison

er. I had special cau

tions in regard to him &

took special precautions

Had the prisoners placed

on the hurricane deck

of the Steamer, near the

stern, on the Sky Light

in a space of [illegible] twenty

four feet long by 12 to

15 feet wide, guarded by

a [illegible] of eight soldiers,

half the escort. There were

47 prisoners. I gave strict

injunctions to the Sergeant

& the guard to allow no one

to go backward or forward

to keep the gang on the sky

light & their eyes on the

prisoners, & myself saw

these orders put in execu

tion. The sentinels could not

have been over ten to twelve

feet apart - according to the

testimony sent on to Washing

ton. Two men I allowed to

talk with [Loudon?], one a

man connected with the steam

boat, the other a porter

whom I permitted to bring

the prisoner supper as an

act of humanity. I counted

the Gang a number of times

to see if they were "all right" -

But on the last count just

as I was landing at Alton

one of them had gone, & I

have since found no clue

to his escape although I sent

soldiers up on the board ex

prefsly to make search,

& telegraphed to have the

boat stopped at Hannibal

& searched. For this I am

dismifsed the service with

out trial, although I asked

for it, without arrest &

without warning. And

now will you not as a great

personal favor, one which I

can never return, write me

an earnest & speedy letter

to Mr Holt or the Pre

sident. If sent in time

it will avail much.

Your friend

T. A. Post

His Excellency

Gov. Yates

Springfield

Ills

Post. T. A.

St Louis Oct 15th 64

Writes again concerning

his dismissal from

Service and requests the

Gov. as a great personal

favor to write a strong

letter to Judge Holt or

the Prest. in his behalf.