R. W. Smith to Richard Yates

Chicago Ills

Oct 18 1864

Governor Yates

Sir

I have written a letter this morning to the Adjt Genl. explaining at length the situation of some men that I can get for my Regt. I am anxious to do something for the Regt. I here have an opportunity to get 400 men certain they are men ready & perhaps I could get 500 - provided they can go into the Cavy Service. They are of the 100 day men who are here for muster out. They will volunteer provided they can go into the Cavly Service. They will not [illegible]. My Regt needs the addition badly. Can I not get them? Upon a representation of the matter to the Secy of War by you. I am persuaded he would order it done. Will you please assist me in this way.

Permit me also to call your attention to the vacant Majorship in the 16" & refer your again to my letter on file [touching?] this matter.

I leave tonight to join the Regt at

at Nicholasville & hope to hear that you have procurred for me an order permitting these men to come into my Regt

Three Companies of my Regt have been mustered out of the service by limitations of time & hence there is room for three full Companies & I have no doubt I can Consolidate two of the remaining Companies in such a way as to be entirely satisfactory & thus make room for four new Cos. & give place to the four hundred men now in waiting & ready to go in.

They are under the Charge of Maj E.D. Lurton of 134" 100 day men. He is at Adams House Chicago.

I am Governor

Yours Most Rspy

R.W. Smith

Col 16" Ills Cavalry

Col. R W Smith

Chicago Oct 18/64

He wants to take into his Regt. about (400) four hundred men of the hundred Day troops who are now in Chicago to be mustered out.

They want to reenlist if they can go in Cavly- His Regt. needs these & therefore he asks the Govr to get Sec of War to order their assignment to the 16th Caly

Also calls Govr's attention to a letter of his on file here relating to the majorship of his Regt.