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[Letterhead] State of Illinois Executive Department. Springfield Feby 1. 1862
Col. W. H. Lamon Washington D.C.
I recd your letter of date January 13th, requesting me “to state the circumstances under which you obtained the 39th Illinois Regiment” and “whether I did not know at the time you received the order that you had authority from the War Department to raise a Brigade.”, and also “whether you made any representations to me that you were a Brigadier General”.
I will state the facts to the best of my recollection –sometime in the latter part of September, you applied to me for the privilege of raising men in Illinois for a Brigade, which I understood from you verbally, you had authority from the War Department to raise – I think, you said, you had already raised some men
in Chicago, and perhaps in DeWitt and other counties- I replied to you that you could not take men out of Illinois to be put in Regiments out of the State, because it was contrary to my Proclamation, and would have the effect to deprive Illinois of the credit of all the troops which she might have in the field; I however, voluntarily offered to furnish you the 39th Regiment, known as the Yates Phalanx, then already organized and officered and numbered as an Illinois Regiment. I think you then stated to me, that you did not want men already raised, but wanted to recruit them yourself. You finally agreed however that if the Phalanx could be had, you would take it.
Shortly after this conversation, I went to Washington, and in the mean time the Phalanx was ordered by Gen. Fremont to St. Louis
On my return, I gave you strong letters to Gen. Fremont, requesting him to let you have the Phalanx, which he did.
You did not, as I remember, claim to be a Brigadier General. I saw nothing in your conduct in the least derogatory to the high estimation, in which you were always held here as a citizen and a gentleman.
Very Respectfully
Richd. Yates
The Governor To } Feby 1 Col. Ward Lamon
as to the Yates Phalanx & his being a Brig. Genl.
Private