John Olney to Richard Yates

CALVARY REGIMENT. The War Department has authorized the undersigned to receive twelve companies of cavalry to form a regiment of cavalry for State service, to serve three years or during the war. One hundred and one men, rank and file, will be required to a company, but companies may go into camp with eighty-four men. The object of this regiment is for State service alone. The pay is the same as that received by cavlary in teh U.S. service. The regiment will go into camp at Shawneetown. ROBERT KIRKHAM. Feb.26, 1863n34

Shawneetown, Ill. April 7th. 1863.

To His Excellency, Richard Yates, Governor of Illinois.

Sir: -Col. Kirkham claiming to be authorized by the Sec. of War to raise a Regiment of Cavalry for "State service" induced several different persons to go to work to raise companies for that Reg't. C. H. Rogers raised very nearly a full company and had men in camp here for near three weeks. Theodore Gatewood and A. P. Stephenson inform me to night that they have seventy-five men -

They now have twenty-five men in Camp here - they came in to day. Their other men are to be in to-morrow. Several other companies are now forming in this and adjoining Counties. Col. Kirkhaus now advises Rogers & Gatewood & Stephenson that Sec. Stanton has revoked the order authorizing him to raise the Regiment.

A number of men have been put to serious trouble and expense, which they cannot well lose, and yet which they cannot get back, unless they now be allowed to go on and raise one or two companies.

Will you not authorize the raising at least two Companies of Cavalry under the order of the Sec of War of 9th February 1863. to be raised here - let them rendezvous any where - Chicago, if advisable -

A regiment of Cavalry or Infantry can be raised in Lower Egypt (this Cong. Dist.) in short time for guard & protection of the State, or for U. S. service if some one in whose veracity honor and loyalty the people could place confidence was to undertake it, and such Reg't. could be formed by such person in short time.

I respectfully suggest that soldiers for guard & protection of the State, if needed along the Ohio river or in the interior of Southern Illinois should be cavalry, and not infantry.

If you can do so on behalf of those men, privates as well as officers, who have rented out their little farms, and who not having farms have neglected to rent, expecting to go into service at the call of the Constituted authorities. I most respectfully and earnestly beseech you that you do authorize - the men above named or others to go into camp with at least two Companies of Cavalry

If as I said, you authorize raising a Reg't it can be done in a short time, with the

proper man at the head of it.

Please answer

I am Governor with great respect

Your obd't Serv't

John Olney

John Olney

Shawneetown April 7 1863

Says Col Kirkham claims to have authority to raise a Regt of Cavalry for State Service Says two companies have been in camp for nearly three weeks - thinks a Regt could be raised - and urges the Gov to accept those companies that are now organized.

Col. K. had authority which has been revoked by W. Dep.

Recd Ex O. April 13 1863