John Wilson to Richard Yates

Chicago, August 23d 1862

Dear Sir,

When the new levy was ordered, I applied to you for a Colonelcy in one of the new Regiments; but I presume, under the arrangements then adopted, you could not consistently comply with my request; and hence I have not heard from that application. At the earnest instance of my son, Calvin Gurley Wilson, I beg leave to request for him, an appointment as Regimental Quarter Master, to one of the three years Regiments; and therefore withdraw the application made by me for Colonelcy.

This son married a niece of Col Hamilton, formerly of this City, now deceased; and though he enjoys a good position, he is willing and anxious to go into service, though thereby he should be compelled to part, for a time at least, from his young wife, and infant son. He is every way qualified for the position he seeks, and if appointed, will render good and efficient service.

I should not have made this application, supposing that all the officers of these Regiments, would be elected; but today I learned that this is not uniformly the case, but that at least one appointment to a Colonelcy has been made, where the individual was not elected by the Company officers. I therefore beg leave to submit this application, and respectfully request your decision on it may be communicated to me. Should it be successful, I will feel under great obligations for it; and yet, if it had not been for his urgent entreaty, I should not certainly have annoyed you with this application, in view of the fact, that every one, heretofore made by me, since the Republican party has been in power, has been invariably refused. I rendered every service in my power, to secure the success of that party, and these uniform refusals are any

any thing but gratifying, especially when favors are showered upon those who devoted every effort to the defeat of that party. I know it is the fashion now to ignore parties; such was the case in electing Delegates to our State Constitutional Convention, and there we had striking evidence of the effects of this policy. However, I now ask this small favor, and if it be your pleasure to grant it, I shall be under great obligations; and if not, my son will have to cool down his patriotism, and retain his present position.

With great respect,

Your obt Servt

John Wilson

Box 3858

His Excy,

R Yates,

Gov of Illinois,

Springfield

John Wilson

Chicago

Aug 23/62

Withdraws his application for Colonel & asks the appointment of Regt Quarter Master in one of the three years Regts for his son Calvin G. Wilson.