George B. Crawford to Richard Yates

Camp 9th Ills. Cavalry

Colliersville Tenn Jan 15th/64

Hon. Richard Yates.

Sir

A question of considerable doubt and of importance has been greatly agitated and discussed among those men who enlisted in this regiment the first of August 1862 and upon which we respectfully ask your opion. We enlisted with the understanding to serve the unexpired term of the regiment and to be mustered out at the expiration of the term of the regiment, but this was not entered on the muster roll. the muster roll upon which our names appear reads for three years or during the war, to this, we called the attention of the recruting officers, to which he replied that made no difference. that he was recruting under a Special order to fill the deficency of the regt. we never had an occasion before this to investigate the matter & upon which seems to be a great diversity of opion as to whether we are legitimately bound for the three years. Is it possible

to have the terms upon which we enlisted entered on the rolls, provided we obtain an affidavit from the recruting officer embracing all the facts pertaining to our enlistment?

Your most obedient Servant

Geo. B. Crawford.

private Co "M" 9th Ills. Cav

Crawford Geo B.

Colliersville Tenn

Jany 15 64.

Wishes to know when the term of enlistment of the 9th Cavalry, will expire They were enlisted for 3 years or during the war.

Answer carefully

Executive Office Jany 28 1864