Thomas Wilkins to Richard Yates

Greenville Bond County

Illinois Sept. 12th 1863

Gov. Yates

Dr Sir:

Did you not issue an order to have all wounded and sick Soldiers in the south returned to their state (Illinois) from which they went

I am attending a man here as his surgeon who was wounded at Vicksburg and afterwards sent to Union Hospital Memphis Tenn. His Surgeon J.D. Brunley would not give him a certificate for a furlough but his Captain obtained one from Gen. Grant Before this expired I gave him a certificate to have it prolonged

which was in duplicate one being sent to Gen. Grant's headquarters and the other to the Hospital at Memphis His surgeon writes from this latter place that "all men furloughed from that Hospital will be reported and may expect to be arrested and punished as deserters if they do not report promptly at the expiration of their furloughs" and that "no certificates are of any importance except from proper military sources"

Now this man is spoken of very highly by his capt Co A and Lieut Col. Com. 97th Reg Ill. Vol. he wishes to do his duty but in his condition it is unsafe for him to return south

I wish also to know and do my duty and wish some instructions in relation to this case which will inform me how to dispose of similar ones hereafter knowing that you must be harrassed with business I dislike to refer this to you but knowing that you are concerned for the welfare of Illinois soldiers I submit it to you The interest of many of them will no doubt depend on your answer Hence if you cannot answer me please refer this to the department which will

Respectfully & Truly Yours

Tho. Wilkins

Gov. Yates

Springfield

Illinois

Recd - Sept. 16 - 63

Wilkinson Thomas

Greenville Bond County Sept 12 1863.

Wishes to know if an order has not been issued to have all Ill soldiers removed to hospitals in Illinois. He is now attending a man who was wounded at Vicksburgh - and is now ordered to report at Memphis.

Recd Ex O. Sept 15 63.