A. J. Mathewson to Richard Yates

Illinois and Michigan Canal.

Superintendent's Office

Lockport, Jan. 29th 1864.

To his Excellency

Gov. Yates.

A letter has been received from Camp Yates, from a number of the Mercantile Battery (new recruits) complaining of bad treatment while at the camp bearing your name at Springfield. Some of the men live in this place---one in particular is well used to all the hard fare of campaigning, and they call the treatment 'execrable' I do not write you thinking you at fault, but as the soldier considers you his special friend and protector, they express a desire that you may know how they are treated by persons whose duty it is, to look after and care for them and see that the soldier has rations, and everything other thing which he is entitled to. One letter lying now before me says--- 'I have just taken supper, dry bread, no meat and coffee.'

This is perhaps one of a thousand instances where the men suffer, while the officer is to be blamed. Through the friends of these soldiers I am asked to call your attention to this

this matter, thinking that if these particular men do not get the full benefit of your presence in camp by stirring up these officers, some others who are as deserving of good treatment will. The writer of this particular letter desired Jno. B. Preston Esqr. of this place (Canal Supt.) to write your Excellency, but Mr. Preston being sick, the friends called upon me.

I am satisfied that a man who has graduated in the U. S. Navy would not complain unless he had ample cause.

For the sake of the men who propose to go and fight our battles and whip our enemies into obedience to the law I beg you will see to this matter. the soldier has got the idea into his head that Gov. Yates is his friend. I believe so too or I would not trouble with this note.

For the good treatment of the soldier, if it be a necessity to hang or dismiss the guilty officer, why, then do so at once, and the soldier is the better man for it.

I am Your Obt Servt

A. J. Mathewson.

Write letter fully explaining &c

Mathewson A J.

Lockport Jany 29 1864.

Letters have been received from Camp Yates complaining of bad treatment. They do not consider Governor at fault but he desires him to know the condition of affairs as the soldiers look to him (the Governor) as there protector

Executive Office Febry 64