John Tillson to Rutherford

Nashville March 2, 1863

Friend Rutherford

I enclose to you some papers which speak for themselves In the possible absence of Mr Wood I wish you to place them before Governor Yates to be forwarded to Washington Should I send them direct they may not reach the President but sent by Gov: Yates they will - I wish you to state to him also these facts. That they contain the names of every Regt Commander in the [illegible] Brigades that comprized Palmers Division that also the recommendation of Genl Paine & several other Cols of my association have been sent to the President that I am promised and presume that the recommendation of Genls Palmer McClernand and others are already in the hands of Mr Lincoln also those of Cook Ross and ask him to send these with such statement in addition as he feels it right to make

I venture to say that no other Regt Commander can show as I do the unanimous approval of his Brother Field officers many of them of higher rank tho none longer in the Service It is a high compliment that I prize much

Rivalry and interest have not prevented from this testimonial

I am about sending for publication the expression of my Regt on Public Affairs as "Copperheads"

Respects to your good wife - Write me

Yours [illegible]

John Tillson

Send me a copy of the Report of the Adjutant Genl