Isaac G. Wilson to Richard Yates

Geneva Ills Sept 11 1861

Governor Yates

My Dear Sir On my return from St Louis I very unexpectedly found a telegram from the War Department of the date of Sept. 6th announcing that the official acceptance of the Lincoln Regiment together with the necessary orders etc, had been mailed to me, and by yesterdays mail I received the papers. I need not say that after the previous adverse decision of the Department, I was much surprised at this turn of affairs as we had made no renewal of our application in that quarters.

Meantime the protracted delay and uncertainty as to when and where, if at all, we were to be organized, had begun to produce serious effects. The recruits were becoming discouraged and gradually dropping of to unite with Chicago regiments. In one instance a whole company going into the Douglas brigade. Under these circumstances some prompt action became indis

pensable, and an informal meeting was hastily called at which it was determined to go into camp here at once under the acceptance from the Secretary of War. The feeling among the captains was such that I could not have controlled it had I attempted. Nothing else would have been listened to.

I have felt constrained to briefly make this explanation to relieve myself from the appearance of disingenuousness after what occurred at Springfield. The treatment which I received at your hands was so marked with kindness and gentlemanly courtesy that it would pain me to have you feel for one moment that I had acted dishonorably. The truth is matters had got beyond my control. The conduct of the War Department in relation to our application has been singularly inconsistent and strange – accepting us one week, refusing the next, and finally accepting.

I hope in self vindication to have an opportunity at some future time to lay before you the correspondence that has taken place.

Very sincerely Your Friend & Obt. Servant Isaac G. Wilson

Isaac G Wilson Explanation about Regmt

answered

Answer that letter is satisfactory & file