Jennie Carson to Richard Yates

His Excellency, Richard Yates, Governor of Ill

Springfield, Illinois

Honored Sir:

Excuse the liberty of a stranger in thus presuming to address your Excellency a letter, my reason is, that true merit may be rewarded, if such a thing will be possible.

I see in the Ill. State Journal, that a Reg. of colored men are to be raised in this State, therefore I would very respectfully recommend for appointment as a Captain in that Reg, Wilborn James Elliott, private in Co "F.," 14th Reg. Ill. Infantry Vol.

Co. "F." was formerly commanded by Capt. M. S. Littlefield, of Jerseyville, Ill. and the 14th Reg. Ill. Inf. by Maj. Gen J. M. Palmer, of Carlinville, Ill.

The history of the 14th Ill. Inf. and Wilborn James Elliott, are identical, and suppose you already know the history of the Reg.

W. J. Elliott is very strong anti-slavery, and is also an unconditional union man, declares his determination to be a soldier, until peace is restored again, if his health will remain good.

He was sworn into the U. S. Service for 3 years, (unless sooner discharged,) on the 25th of May, 1861, near Jacksonville, Ill.

He prefers an office in a Reg. of colored men, will accept a commission as 1st Lieut., if a Captaincy can not be procured; if the offices are all filled, please remember him in future, when a vacancy occurs that

might be filled by him; from personal, and long acquaintance, I think he would be a kind, but strict disciplinarian, a good commanding officer, please pardon me for these encomiums, he is my friend, as in fact all true union soldiers and civilians are.

If you desire any references as regards W. J. Elliott, suppose Maj. Gen. Palmer will do as their present commander, Col. Cyrus Hall, we think W. J. Elliott well qualified for a Captain; my father is W. H. Carson, well known to Gen. Palmer, L. A. Parks, Ed. Alton Telegraph, also Drs. Geo. G. Allen, and R. C. Reutherford of Alton.

Hoping to receive an early acknowledgement of this, and that you will pardon me for presuming to address you,

I am very respectfully yours, &c,

Miss E. Jennie Carson

Trumbull P. O. Ill.

P. S. Of course we are "black abolitionists."

E. J. C.

C.

Miss E. Jennie Carson

Trumbull P. O. Ills.

(No Date)

Earnestly recommends her friend W. J. Elliott Pr. with Ill. Inft. for appt Capt of Lieut in Colored troops mentions recommendations &C

- good letter -

Answd. Dec 17 63. Enclosing recommendation to Genl Thomas for permit for examination before Road Examiners and Explained about character of examination &C &C

Loomis ADC

Executive Office Dec 16 63 -