L. R. Webb to Richard Yates

Peoria, Ill

March 1, 1863.

Hon. Rich'd Yates

Springfield, Ill

My Dear Sir:

I am home from Young's Point for a short time for the purpose of recruiting my health, somewhat seriously impaired by a violent and persistent attack of the prevailing camp disease at that place. I have had no opportunity until since my arrival here of reading your message to the Late Legislature, but having finished a careful perusal of it I desire to thank you, sir, as a citizen of Illinois and a soldier in the service of the Union, for

this matchless and timely official paper, so honorable to you as an individual and so creditable to you as the chief officer of our goodly and glorious State. Interesting and highly instructive in its statement of facts connected with our wonderful development in material resources, pregnant with Suggestions and recommendations of vital importance, yet its crowning merit is its eloquent, hopeful and unanswerable logic and appeal in behalf of the imperilled Government of our fathers. I have renewed my zeal and rebaptized my faith in your powerful and patriotic utterances, the Surest success, the speediest and safest peace lie lastly

in the directions which you have pointed out. I am hopeful that we shall all travel in those directions ere long. The evidences of a reaction among the contemptible plotters for an ignoble peace are everywhere visible. That they have made asses as well as knaves of themselves is a fact which they manifestly begin to realize. The State of Sentiment in the Army has doubtless largely contributed to this result. And this reminds me in this connection to say that I am to-day in receipt of a letter from Col. Grier, in which, writing from Young's Point, Feb. 16, he says: "If you should come through Spf'd

on your return, stop and see the Governor and tender the Services of the Reg't to him, if he wants them, for the purpose of visiting Illinois and cleaning out the traitors in that state, commencing with the Legislature, I should like to assist in a job of that kind, for I know of nothing that wants attention so much as that Same Legislature."

I know you would be gratified, were you as well aware as I am, of the high personal esteem in which you are held among all the Illinois Regiments in Gen. Grant's portion of the Army, which is the only portion whose sentiments I have any knowledge of. I want

to obtain a package of copies of your message to distribute among the Illinoisians in our Brigade upon my return The message would be read with great avidity, and would do much good in more senses than one I will try and stop over in Springfield upon my return and get them.

Respectfully

Your ob't Servant,

L. R. Webb,

Lt. Col. 77th Reg't Ill Vols.

Lt. Col. R. L. Webb,

Peoria, March 1, '63,

77th Regt.

Speaks in the highest terms of the Governor's message: says he will get some copies for distribution when he goes thro' Springfield.

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