Lewis Wendell to Richard Yates

Chicago Oct 18 1864

To Richard Yates

Governor of the State of Illinois

Dear Sir

The writer of this note Lewis Wendell a member of Company A, 35th Ill. volunteered three years ago last July, and served his time out faithfully without ever absenting himself a day from the Reg. in all that time was mustered out with the rest of his Reg. at Springfield a few weeks ago. And after waiting three weeks for his discharge paper there, without getting them, came to Chicago to see a married Sister. And the first day here was arrested for being found

without a pass. And only at the earnest solicitation of friends was prevented from being locked up, and a pass procured from the provost marshal, for a few days, I have now been here two weeks and have written to Capt Peak and telegraphed to Springfield for my discharge papers to be sent here, and can get no reply from anyone. My pass is out and I obliged to keep in the house, from being arrested like a felon, which I think is bad treatment. I want to go home to my parent in Penn~. and as a last resort I thought I would write to you knowing you to be the soldiers friend to see wether you could not do

something for me or send me some kind of a pass that I can leave here and go home. By so doing will much oblige    Yours

Very Respectfully

Lewis Wendell

Company A 35 Reg. Ill. Vol.

P.O. Box 680 Chicago

Oct 18th 1864

Wendell Lewis Co "A" 35th Ill Vols

Post Office Box 680 Chicago, Illinois

He served three years was mustered out in Springfield, and waited three weeks there for his discharge papers, and then went to Chicago to see a relative & was arrested for being without a pass. Wants Govr to send him some kind of pass to enable him to go home.

Ans'd [illegible]