Joseph Clark to Richard Yates

With Joseph Clark letter 03/26/64

Camp Douglas, Chicago Ill Oct 26th (1864)

Your Excellency Governor Richard Yates

Sir I enlisted as a Private Soldier in the Volunteer Service of the United States on or about the 29th of July, 1862 in the First Board of Trade of the City of Chicago in the 72nd Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry at a public Mass Meeting held at Bryan Hall at the same time I had a Written permit from you to get up a Co as I had been a soldier before I consquently had experience but I chose to give up my permit to raise a Co myself & enlist as a Private thinking my influence thereby would extend further in causing others to enlist. I went with my Reg't to the front & there I became Disabled & was transferred to the Invalid Corps where I have been misstreated because I had been promoted to be sergeant for my ability & merit & was reduced to the ranks in the manner Described in another sheet which I inclose with this which I think was an injustice to me because I was not permitted to offer any defense now I would not have troubled you for all this if that was all but my Wife She was taken as Co Laundress for Co H at the same time I enlisted she was the only Woman that went out with the Reg't & was called Regimental Laundress which Position she filled without blame until the Reg was ordered south from

Oxford Miss when by General Orders all all Women in the Division were Ordered North but she subsequently became Laundress in Co E 15 Reg Invalid Corps on my being transferred to said Co & Reg't now my wife on last Christmas did bring into camp some whisky for a couple of Soldiers who said they were sick & she did not know at the time that she was Violating the regulations of the Camp by doing so. there was nothing said about it however until about 2 months ago when it seems the Co had got more laundresses than what was thought to be needed She was for nothing else nor any other Charges turned out of Camp & was not considered as Laundress since. her rations also have been kept in the Co now if I could have her restored I can give good security that she will not violate the Rules of Camp any more now it be a great favor to me if you would use your influence to get her restored again please return the sheet that has my Charges for Drunkenness & my Reduction to the ranks upon it with your answer to this

Direct to

Joseph Clark

Chicag Illinois

Jos Clark

Camp Douglas

Chicago Oct 26/64

Was arrested for drunkenness and reduced from Sergtcy to rank without a chance to defend himself.

His wife was turned out of camp for bringing whiskey into camp. Wants her restored

File

AP