J. A. Maury to Richard Yates

Aledo Ill July 21 1862

Governor Yates

Sir the Country is calling for men to her defence and I am more than willing to do my duty in any capacity that I am able and I wish to know if you could give me an independent Commission as either Surgeon or Assistant Surgeon in any of the regiments raised or now in process of completion I will say this much of myself that I have been in the practice for over Twenty years and I think with at least the ordinary success attending Physicians generally and have never turned a Surgical patient away because I could not perform the operation and perhapse I have done more Surgery than is common for County practioners I have a physical disability that will not allow me to take the

ranks and do duty acceptably or as it should be done to the advantage of the Government I could refer you to many names and will only give you a few to whom you may refer regarding my competing and standing as a citizen or Physician Prof Pope St. Louis (one of my precepters) Prof I B Johnson St Louis Dr G B Kyle Macomb Ill Dr R M Worthington Rushville Ill Hon T H Walker. Cyrus Walker Macomb Ill and your true friend Col W D Henderson Aledo Ill I will say that I belong to the regular faculty and am a graduate of Medicine Now if this thing can be done I will gladly acept a commission any where but would prefer a situation in Col [Walters?] regiment now being fast completed because I would be extensively known in said regiment

I ask for this situation because I think I can be useful in that capacity and cannot get the consent of my own mind to volunteer and ruin my chances for promotion in the ranks for I could not stand the marching nesscessary (my disability is Hemorrhoids) Accept of the individed and unanimous thanks for your published letter to our noble President

Your friend Truly

J A Maury

J.A. Maury.

Aledo

July 21/62

Wants a Commission as surgeon, or Asst Surgeon, has an Expeariance of 20 Years. refers to prominent men in St Louis. - - -

[illegible] & "G" sent

July 29 M