Stephen A. Hurlbut to Richard Yates

                                                                                                                   Belvidere
                                                                                                                         July 24, 1864

Dear Governor

        Yours of 18th is received.  I understand that Either Church or Brown will be the Representative from Winnebago. (Illegible) 

Lathrop to run as he is decidedly the ablest man. Either of them will go for you, and in fact I think that if they go into caucus there

will be no question of your nomination. I do not understand Lansing's evolutions. He is after something what I do not know, but I

will see him in a day or two & find out. Washburne

being out of the question it would seem as if all that was to be done was to obtain a majority in the Legislature. Of this I am by no

means assured. I wish I were, but I freely confess to you that I think the whole depends upon Eminent Military success before

November.

   Sherman's movement so far has been capitally done and he now has the ability to throw a column suddenly (near?) Augusta and 

destroy their Arsenal. I think he will if his cavalry is not already too far scattered. I consider his now the main line of attack and

as developing the back route to Charleston Savannah as soon as the frost comes so as to operate in the lowlands. Grant's moves

much are as yet not in any way of decisive importance nor do I think they will be. I do not anticipate much from him before

September.

The authorities seem to have forgotten me and I do not think it worth while to wake them up just now.

  The only consistently honorable course is to reinstate  me in my own command & then if they don't want me there send me 

Elsewhere.

                                                      Yours   I A Hurthelp