Samuel O. Kirkwood to Richard Yates

Executive Office, Iowa

Iowa City, February 27, 1863

His Excellency

Gov. Yates.

Sir;

Enclosed please find letter from Dr Hughes Surgeon General of this State:

I join in his request that if a negro regiment be raised in your State Capt Hughes may have a place in it. The number of negroes in this State is so small that it would be useless to attempt to raise a regiment here. Indeed it seems to me the attempt to raise a regiment either in Illinois or Iowa could be a very difficult & troublesome matter by reason of our nearness to Missouri. There would be continual questions and controversies because those volunteering would be claimed as the runaway slaves of loyal men in Missouri.

Vy Respectfully

Samuel O Kirkwood

Letter written March 5, 63

Samuel O Kirkwood

Governor of Iowa

Iowa City Febry 27, 1863

Writes in refference to raising Negro regiments and encloses letter from Sergeon General Hughs who writes that his brother who is a Capt in 46" Ill is desirous of commanding a colored regt Was Sheriff of Ogle County prior to the organization of the Regt. is a good man. hopes the Gov will aid him.