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Andover, Ill.
Dec 12th 1863.
To His Excellency Govr of Ill.
Dear Sir,
A plain spoken man (formerly a private in the No 14th", Co called "Indepenent Rangers", Capt Graham taken prisoners at Lexington Mo.) asks your attention: I let me be very brief
Will your Excellency, please empower me to raise from one to ten companies of infantry to do Guard duty to be composed in part of men, like myself,
unfit for the march, to be sworn into that particular arm of the service, to serve anywhere in that capacity between British America & the Gulf of Mexico or between the Atlantic & Pacific oceans! Three years or durin the war.
May we not raise some men for that purpose when thousands of able bodied companies are so occupied from necessity?
I am busy, engaging the people here in a New Year's Supper for the benefit of our soldiers; if you favor my object will you please send me word in time to
commence recruiting on that occasion Shall I ask in vain in such a glorious work?
Could I have the pleasure of seeing you in person I am sure you would not refuse. Please send me a word by Telegraph to go to work & if I do not prove worthy, then deprive me of my power & publish me to the world!! I am urgent only because no time is to spare, but we must sever the head of the Secession Anaconda at once! Have nothing smaller than a twenty doll bill except the enclosed pittance Please send Telegram to
Erastus A. Buck
Geneseo
Ill.
Write him regretting have no power Return his money Say have ref to Sec of War
Buck Erastus A.
Geneseo Dec 11 1863
Wishes authority to raise from one to ten Companies of Infantry to do guard duty in this State. Is engaged in preparing a New Year's supper for benefit of our soldiers -
Gov endorsement on inside -
Answered as directed Jany 15 64
Hirshbach
Recd 14 Jany 64