John R. Woods to Richard Yates

Private!

Woodwild near Upper Alton

November 3. 1862

Governor Yates

Dear Sir

Your Excellency was kind enough to notice, under your own hand, the reception of my letter of the 13 ult. I most sincerely thank you for every word of your most eloquent and flattering reply - In conformity with your request I will endeavor to prepare my future letters with a view to their publication. These lines, however, relating as they do matters of a private nature, you will do me the favor to destroy, after you have taken the trouble to read them.

The election of tomorrow being, in my judgment, one of the most intense importance to our state, and, perhaps, to the Nation, I have deemed it my duty to be at home for a few days, and do all that I can in securing the success of our Union Ticket.

That Ticket, so far as our county is concerned, does not consist of the best material - having as I think too much of the old Locofoco element in it - nevertheless we intend to carry it if possible -

I am extremely anxious to have our next Legislature so constituted, as to give us without any uncertainty about it, a tried, reliable, unflinching Republican U.S. Senator in place of our present wavering gentleman from Adams. The Locofoco, Tory-Golden Circle wing of the democracy in these parts are in extacies over the elections of Indiana and Ohio, and every man of them is industriously engaged in drumming up their forces for the coming contest, and every possible means will be used by them to carry their point tomorrow over

I sometimes fear that the Almighty is about giving us over to anarchy and confusion, as a punishment for our sins.

Slavery is doubtless the sum of all iniquity, but there are lesser sins, thousands of them, of a character sufficiently odious to call down upon us the frowns of a just and merciful God. and I cannot concieve of a more to be dreaded evil, as likely to be inflicted upon us by His chastising hand, than would be the triumph of the corrupt and corrupting democratic party.

From which terrible plague may His good Spirit deliver us by inspiring all our voters to cast their ballots for freedom and human improvement!

I am induced by another reason, of a more delicate and private character, than the foregoing, to address you at this time -

For some days past, I have been canvassing in my own mind the propriety of making the suggestion to you, which I am now about to make - In the first place however, I must say to you that, were I not satisfied that I am actuated in doing so by the most laudable and unexceptionable motives, not a single word would be uttered or written by me, that would in the least indicate my wishes in the matter.

On recieving your kind favor of the 14 ult and noticing the title "Col," which you had prefixed to my address, it occurred to me, that were I a holder of a commission, confering upon me that honor, it would be of great advantage to me in the prosecution of my agency - strengthen my hands in the work, give me a standing among and under Military men, more accessible to me, and very largely increase my influence and usefulness, in the sphere in which I have been called to act.

I propose this, for no other reasons whatever, than those already specified and would expect, (nor receive,) no emolument in consequence unless called to actual service in camp - but to such a call I should ever consider myself liable, and would always be ready to obey it.

I may say here, that I am not totally ignorant of military science, having held the Office, many years ago, of 1st Lieut. of an Atillery Co in the State of Delaware, and in my younger days, cherished a passion for military parades. That I am not in camp now, at the head of a Regiment, is not owing to the want of a desire on my part to be in the field beating back, or crushing to the earth, the traitorous hordes of villians and thieves who are trying to lay their murderous hands upon all that we hold dear, but to the condition of my affairs and my family at the time of the first outbreak of the war.

Pardon me, Sir, for saying so much upon this subject. I do not, and would not urge upon you a compliance with my suggestion. There may exist insuperable objections, that do not occur to me, but which are well known to your excellency. If so I would not on any account have you take one step in my behalf that would in the least embarras you.

Hoping and praying that in the course of a few days we may be able to sing - inspired by the results of tomorrow's contests, "Glory to God in the highest! In Illinois Republican principles have triumphed!!

I am with every sentiment of Esteem and Respect,

Your very Obedient Servant

Jno. R Woods

John R. Woods

Woodwild Nov 3rd 62.

"Election prospects &c.

Wishes a "complimentary commission" as Colonel"

File -

Private

I have ordered Commn of Col -

See to it