Francis M. Sykes to Richard Yates

Oxford Henry County Illinois

Oct 30th 1864 --

Gov. Richard Yates.

Dear Sir:

Reared in Chautauque Co. N. Y., a farmer's son, I received a fair but limited education, and at the age of 17 years I assumed the honorable and responsible position of "Pedagogue" in a country school, which ocupation I followed for several years with great success. but being attacked by Matrimonial and Western fevers, I married and removed to Ohio, and commenced Mercantile business upon the Miami-Extension Canal. which I followed with fair sucess for several years. but engaging too heavily in the purchase of grain, - a decline in prices swept nearly all of my property from. me. and I was again attacked with Western fever. accordingly I started, and O! how my heart swelled within me. when I first beheld the beautifully expanding prairies of our noble state. and the acme of my desire, was to secure a home for my-self and family in this delightful country and follow the occupation of my boyhood -(farming)- but the means to seure this was lacking -- and I determined to pass on to Mo. and engage in teaching - which was represented to me. by influential relitibes residing there - as being a very lucritive business in that State - until I could acquire sufficient means to return and purchase a home in Illinois, but I had hardly become established in a situation to suit, when dark clouds of treason bagan to appear in our horizen. And as I had been reared in Free America, and not believing in the truckling doctrine of sacrificing "principle" at the shrine of "policy" I took strong grounds against it, which made me very unpopular, with a very large majority, my relitives included --

When the war broke out I had not means at my command to place my family in a safe situation to procure a livelihood, and I therefore attached myself to the Army temporarily as a secret agent. In the spring of 1863, prospects being for a long continued war, and as I had become tired of this kind of service, and my family being stripped, I removed them to this place. intending to return to Mo. and Join the 3rd Mo. Cav. but ere I had got my family comfortably situated. for leaving "Uncle Abraham" called for 300,000 more, and I responded by putting my name upon the Muster roll of a company. Being raised here by Captain J. M. Snyder for Col A. C. Harding 83rd Ills. V. I.

On the 11th day of August -- upon the Co. organization & Muster-in to the Service, I was most agreeably surprised. by being elected by the Co. as their 2nd Lieut. Having a constitution unimpaired by disease, and an athletic active frame I had as good a chance as I could desire to start out with By untiring industry and application to my duty I soon gained the confidence and respect of my superiors, and also of my inferiors; but disappointment again overtook me for in December while chasing John Morgan and Col Woodward in Ky I was severely attacked with Typhoid Fever & was reduced nearly unto death. Upon recovery from this disease. I found myself afflicted with chronic disease of the stomache and bowels, and the Dropsy, in this condition I went into the fight at Fort Donelson on the 3rd of Feb'y. 1863 where our brave and noble Genl (then Col) A. C. Harding refused to surrender his faithful little band of 676 men, when surrounded (without any fortifications of any value) by over ten times that number, under command of the blood-thirsty wretches - "Forrest" "Wheeler" and Wharton, accompanied with artilery far superior to ours, but desperately fought them for 7 long hours and repulsed them. killing. wounding. and captureing more "Johnies" than his entire command numbered when he went into the fight and only losing 13 killed and 45 wounded. (what a comparison with the conduct of Col Rodney Mason of the 71st Ohio in surrendering Clarksville to Woodward's Guerillas without firing a gun.). I was among the latter, an ounce ball passing in under my left eye and lodging in my neck 3 inches below my right ear, passing through the roots of my tongue and through, and breaking my cheek & upper jaw. In May 1863 I had so far recovered as to return to duty and was detailed as Judge Advocate of a Genl. Court Martial Convened at Ft Donelson during the fall of 1863, which proved too laborious for me, but I succeeded in completing the business of the court, and was sow severely attacked with Pneumonia and was furloughed home, went back with the intention of getting transferred to the "Veteran Reserve Corps" as I was satisfied that I could no more endure the life of an active soldier. Made application to the Provost Marshal Gen. B. -- complying with genl. Orders -- in March 1864, I waited until July -- acting in the meantime as a member of a Military Commission at Clarksville Tenn -- when I received a letter from Col. Wisewell Asst to the P. M. Genl. Notifying me that in addition to

the Genl. Orders, under which I made my application I would have to pass a favorable examination before a board then convened in Washington for the examination of applicants for the Veteran Reserve Corps and inviting me to come, but at the same time notifying me that a favorable recommenation of this Board would not ensure my success but materially strengthen my claim, As my health had constantly grown worse, and I feared - as did also my Physician - that I would by physically unfit to do the duties of an Officer even there, I tendered my Resignation, which was accepted in August, since which I have done nothing but watch and Pray, and exert my influence for the Union Cause, and the interest of our noble State in the reelection of our God-given President and the election of "Dick No 2" -- though I would have prefered "Dick No 1" -- as we have tried him, -yet Dick is a good name and we are willing to trust "Dick No 2" -- Can it be possible that we shall fail? The thunders from Gallant Indiana Augers well for us, and my heart beats freer since Penn. O. & Ind. have spoken, in tones not to be misunderstood, -- God Grant us such a victory on next Tuesday as shall forever extinguish the growing treason in the North. And destroy the last Rebel hope.

My health is still poor, but considerably improved, Except the disease of my throat which at times almost destroys my power of speech, and I am entirely unable to perform any physical labor unless it be with the pen. I have made application for a Pension but as my means are very small, and as I have 4 children who must have an education, this will be entirely inadequate unless I can find employment which will add something. This I thought I could readily do at Rock-island, as I have recommenations of Character, and Loyalty from the Officers with whom I have served for over two years, and I was satisfied that if I could procure a trial I could satisfy as to my abilities, but the past week spent there showed me that this is not easily accomplished, All Officers express "sympathy" but this does not give me employment. All have their Clerks employed and do not like to remove them. -- Although I am told some of them oppose the Administration and will vote for Little Mc -- I hope this is untrue -- I do not thus speak thinking that my claims are superior to other loyal men. but they are superior to any disloyal cittizen who has never smelled gun-powder in his Nations struggle for life, but has swallowed the enemies poison

until he too has become a traitor, I do not hope for a lucrative employment. as my health will not admit of heavy duty. if it would I should not be begging employment, as I could readily find it in the Army. -- an employment, I would much prefer. if I could endure its hardships. -

I have thus freely addressed you, knowing you to be the friend of all who have suffered in the cause, - of causes, - which lies nearest the heart of every true American citizen, & believing that I would receive your sympathy, if not your assistance in obtaining employment

I am. Gov., Very Respectfully

Your, Obedient Servant

Francis M. Sykes

Late Lieut Co. "D" 83rd Ills. V. I.

G Hova "a few lines. Porter abstract fully --

Sykes Francis M

Oxford Henry Co. Oct 30/64

Wants Govr's assistance to procure employment as he is unable to get into business which his constitution will endure. having lost his health in the army.

[Lie ?]