L. C. Hawley to Richard Yates

Head-Quarters Seventeenth Army Corps,

DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE,

Vicksburg Miss Nov. 19th 1863

His Excellency Richard Yates

Governor of Illinois

Governor: - I have the honor to address you for the purpose of asking for an appointment to a command in the Army. I came into the Army in the ranks about one year and a half since, went through the Campaign against this place & after it surrendered I was detailed by Genl Grant and assigned to "Hd qrs. 17th Army Corps" where I am now on duty as a clerk.

I think I have some claims which ought not to be overlooked. In the first place, I served in the Indian War in Oregon & Washington Territories

in '55 & '56, in which service I held the ranks of lst Luit & Maj, and I think I can say discharged my duties to the satisfaction of any superiors. I was in that service two years, for which I have now received half enough to pay my expenses during the time I was in actual service. Besides, I purchased evidences of indebtedness on account of that war to the amount of several thousand dollars, after they had been audited by a Commission appointed by the Government for that purpose. The matter rested in that shape for five years and then the 3rd Auditor repudiated the debt, I thereby losing all I had invested in that enterprise and two years of my time which was of some value to me in that Country

at that time. If you wish any vouchers as to my qualifications and Capabilities I can give them to you from Officers high in Command from Illinois where I resided before the war.

I know that you cannot answer all the appeals made to you, but I lost all the means I had by serving the Government, and I feel that it is hard that I should serve a three year's term without rank or pay. By giving this a small share of your attention & replying at your earliest Convenience, You will Confer a great favor upon me

I am Governor

Very Respectfully

Your Obt Servt.

L. C. Hawley

L.C. Hawley

Hd qrs 17th A C

Vicksburg

Miss.

Hurley L.C.

Vicksburgh Miss

Nov 19. 1863.

Has served three years without rank or pay. Wishes the Governor to give him a position of some kind in the army, is now detailed as Clerk.

Ansd Jany 15. 64. as directed.

Hirshbach

Answer

- No new Regts - all appointments made by order of rank - Regret cannot do something for him