John M. Palmer to A.C. Fuller

General Head Quarters, State of Illinois.

Adjutant General's Office,

Springfield, March 18th 1863.

Copy –

Genl A.C. Fuller.

My Dear Sir:

I am under the impression that Gov. Yates is at Washington and write to you though I wish very much that what I say may be laid before him

Our regiments must be filled, Launch extraordinary efforts be used for doing so at once.

We are to-day inferior to the rebels in Tennessee-- Their merciless conscription has filled their regiments and all the able-bodied men in the South are now soldiers, and I predict that within less than sixty days Kentucky will be invaded unless more than common efforts are made we will be pushed back to the Ohio. -- or the whole rebel force West will unite against Grant and crush him.

You must Arrest and send back deserter - Our new regiments are gone up – I send you a statement showing condition of 110th Ills. which is the worst of

all - but all are bad enough. Don't delay this. Do it if it costs the lives of enough of them to terrify the Copperheads into submission.

We are on the eve of the great struggle of the war and you must all work as if the issues were in your hands.

The late developements prove that the rebels are not only driving into the ranks all men between the ages of 18 and 55. but arming the negroes and you need not be surprised when I tell you that the inducements offered them being the same – they prefer the rebel service to ours.

The rebels offer them freedom and the hope of remaining at their present homes. - and mark the prediction - these men we have quarrelled over to the point of civil war. will to a great extent, be found in arms against us.

Don't fail to warn Governor Yates, that a day now, is worth weeks after the 1st of July.

I am as ever

Yours &c.

(signed) John M Palmer

File Private

Gen. Palmer

Springfield Ills.

March 18th 1863.

Governor –

General Fuller has been absent since Sunday Evening - was called to sick bed of his Father – at Belvidere.

The within is an accurate copy of letter - just received - from General Palmer which I have though of sufficient moment to forward for your consideration at Washington or before your return home.

I am sorry to write that correspondence to your office and this – indicates the presence of an alarming number of deserters from our regiments in the field - which the Government should arrest and return or supply you promptly with means and force to do. At present order of the War Dept direct that absentees may report to Col. Morrison Superintendent of Recruiting service - but we have too long felt his utter indisposition or incompetency to accomplish practicable results under any orders he may have to execute.

Yrs Very resply

and truly

John S. Loomis

ADC.

His Excellency

Governor Yates

Wash City

D.C.

(File)

Recd Ex O. April 22d 1863.