Charles H. Fox to Richard Yates

"Strictly Confidential"

Camp Cairo

To his Excellency Gov Yates.

Respected Sir

Lieut Col Wyatt left here quite suddenly last Night without leave, & he was under charges here at the time he departed, of about this nature. about 10 days since I detailed him with a Command under order from Genl Tuttle to proceed into Kentucky, and make some arrests of men who had violated their oath of allegiance. they executed the order and accomplished all I desired, a Noted man Col Turner, quite wealthy and influential was arrested and brot into Camp the scout or Leader of the expedition was a spy of the Genl after their arrival Liquor was provided quite freely and I am informed Wyatt partook quite freely. the spy ([illegible]) made a proposition to Wyatt that there was mony in the arrangement, and proposed that in a few days all prisoners under charge were to be forwarded to Vicksburg and exchanged and he Wyatt was to apply and obtain Command of the expedition to Vicksburg, and on the way down was to release Turner for a specified sum of Mony. Wyatt assented,and in furtherance of the arrangement sought an interview with Genl Tuttle in the morning and solicited the command above refered to. the Genl had been apprised before by his spy of all that transpired consequently was prepared to [meet?] it by charging upon Wyatt not Disloyalty but a [want?] Integrity as an officer. he was not under arrest at the time he left but probably would have been had he

remained to day. my object in writing you the facts are he has gone home or Springfield. and I thought he might have tryed some way to have you Interest yourself for him. I desire you to have nothing to do with it. If he is Guilty of the chgs let him work out his own salvation, and if innocent let him shout it please keep this as confidential.

your most obt servant

Charles C Fox Col Comdg

101st Rgt Ills Vols

101st Regt

Col. Chas. H. Fox

Cairo Oct. 1862

concerning conduct of Lt Col. Wyatt

"strictly confidential"

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