Milton E. Worrell to Richard Yates

Quincy Illinois Jan 7th 1865

His Excellency

Gov. Richard Yates

Springfield Ills.

Dear Sir

Since the report rendered you two years ago, I have been but part of the time engaged in the discharge of my Allotment duties, and as the recommendation there made to the Legislature respecting pay to our Commission has not been carried out, I respectfully report my further efforts; and [ask?] your favourable interest, so that we may be enabled to secure that which is justly our due.

I fully appreciate the circumstances which have heretofore existed, to prevent carrying out the assurances made us,---and hope you will not consider this note intrusive or intended to reflect in any way. It is far from my intention.

The first six months---of 1863 I spent in the active discharges of the duties of the commission collecting in the field as much as possible after each payment and then returning to distribute by the most expeditious method.

I found our Soldiers invariably preferred that the distribution should be made

by Express, and that Treasury Notes should be sent. This necessarily occasioned some expense as the amount of Drafts brought home could never be cashed in Treasury Notes without discount, or the gross Amt---Expressed from the nearest U. S. depository, to the three points from which I distributed. to wit Springfield, Chicago and Quincy.

I secured such arrangements with the Pay Department, or rendered the transmission of this fund actively safe and had it been possible to secure such assistance as I needed, I humbly believe I could have been a material help to the great majority of our Soldiers and their families

I fully believe that one fourth of the entire amount I have Collected, is a clear saving to the Soldier and family and as much to the State at large.

Want of means [illegible] me doing more untill in Oct of the same year, when under the direction of the Illinois Sanitary Commission I again visited the army in the double capacity of Commissioner and Sanitary Agent, the San/ Commission paying my expenses & time.

I met every encouragement and collected and sent back to the Treasurer and other parties for distribution, about One Hundred and Forty

Thousand Dollars collected in One Month.

As the Ex Board of the Commission did not feel prepared to expend more than the actual expense of travel & incidentals incurred, without allowance for my time, I found myself again reluctantly compelled to abandon the enterprise untill means could be provided.

I have collected and disbursed during the whole time employed Seven Hundred and Twenty Thousand Dollars, without expense or the loss of one Dollar. So far as my Knowledge extends (unless to myself)

I hope our present Legislature will provide means and measures to make the commission efficient and successfull. No more desirable favour can be extended our Soldiers and friends.

Whether the time I have spent since my former report should entitle me to proportionate pay I leave for the proper parties to determine. I so expected while in the service.

If it is out of your power to assist as directly, please suggest such course as ought to be pursued---or if not inconsistant present our claims to your successor.

Excuse me for intruding upon your attention at this time, and believe me truly rejoiced that you have successfully

overcome the Treasonable machinations of the enemies of the Government throughout our State and the petty malice and intrigue of personal enemies to yourself.

Please accept my best wishes for the health prosperity and happiness of yourself and family---and my acknowledgments for your kindness in official intercourse

Very Respectfully

Your Obt Servt

Milton E Worrell

Allotmt Comr