John H. Bradley to Jesse K. Dubois

Write letter

Receivers' Office of the C. P. & I. R. R.

Columbus, O., Janry 23 1863.

JK Dubois Esqr

Dr Sir I write you from here (where my office is) tho if you remember me at all, it will be as a resident of Indianapolis (my home), who once in 1861 was introduced to you in your Auditors Office by a letter from John L Ketcham Esqr, and whom you piloted over to Mr Lincolns house

I write you now, to have you see your Governor and have him, send an Agent here and ask that your Illinois paroled men - sent to Camp Chase be transferred to your own Camps. We of Indiana always do this. Our Governor. has a General Standing request here, that all Indiana paroled men coming here, be immediately sent to Indianapolis to him, and it is done. I write now particularly to ask you to have Govr Yates, write a letter to General Cooper who is the Commandant of this Post, requesting him "to send or transfer Lieut John Van Pelt, Quarter Master & A.A.C.S. of 36th Regiment of Illinois Volunteers - who is now a paroled prisoner, at Camp Chase, to him at Springfield. Genl Cooper told me today, that if Govr Yates would do so he would let Lieut Van Pelt go there. The circumstances of

Van Pelts case, justly demand, that he should be allowed to go home now while he can. He has been in Service Since July 1861, and has never been allowed to go home to his Family. He was Chief Commissary of Genl Sheridans Division at Murfeeborough. He and his trains were captured at Lavergne & his [trains?] destroyed.

He was paroled & has been Sent here to rest in Camp Chase until exchanged. He can just as well occupy the time with his family.

He can be at home. His position on Genl Sheridans Staff, is kept open for him and will be. He is an excellent officer. Do have your Governor act to get him a chance to go to his family - for when at Springfield Govr Yates will have the power to let him go on furlough.

I feel strongly in this case. My only Son, was the Chief Quartermaster on the Staff of Genl Jeff C Davis. He & Van Pelt have served together all through Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee & other places for a year & a half, and were captured at Lavergne together & came here together. My son was transferred to his home at once - while Van Pelt has to remain here. Do have him transferred home. A mere letter from Govr Yates will do it.

[illegible] John H Bradley

Done

James H. Bradley.

Columbus Ohio Jany 23r 1863.

Desires the Governor to send an agent to Camp Chase to have our Ill Paroled men transferred to Illinois.

Also asks that a letter be written to Gen Cooper asking that Lieut John Van Pelt be allowed to visit his friends in Springfield

P.P.