Barbour Lewis to Richard Yates

Head-Quarters, Post Military Commission,

Memphis, Tenn April 10, 1863

Dear Governor,

I dont know whether you are bored to death by my Applications or not, but I ask leave to trouble you once more. Brig. Genl. L. Thomas Adj. Genl. U.S.A., will be here in a very few days from Vicksburg. I am informed that he is empowered to grant Commissions to such Officers as he shall see fit to raise and command Nego Regts. I should be very glad to get a line from you to him urging and recommending me for an appointment as Colonel. If you see fit to send me such I think that, taken in connection with the Recommendations I have from all the Generals I have served under, it will accomplish the object desired. Mr. E. P. Kirby wrote to me saying that you had written to me in answer to a former letter some two or more months ago, and that you had also made application to the

War Department in my favor. I am greatly obliged to you although by some accident I failed to get your letter. Major Hubbard of our Regt. lately resigned and went into the Marine Brigade. Col. Ritter, Lt. Col. Price and all the other Officers of my Regt. here, as soon as as they received the news, at once insistedly agreed in my favor as Major, but within a week afterwards we learned that Gov. Gamble had already, without waiting to hear from us at all, appointed a St. Louis Man. Our new Colonel and Lieut. Col., who have been appointed within 6 or 8 months, are outsiders who never belonged to our Regt. but were 2d Lieutenants in the Regular Army; so you perceive that Promotions in our Regt. are all arbitrarily made from the outside. We all wish that the Regt. was transferred to its own State, Illinois. A Semi-Secesh Governor is a great damper to the efficiency of Men and Officers. I am detailed on a Permanent Post Commission here, but I prefer service in the field, say under Rosecrans, to all else.

Yours very Respectfully, Barboour Lewis

Capt. Co. G. 1st Mo. Cav.

Captn Barbour Lewis

Head Qurs, Military Commnd for Memphis April 10-63

Wants letter to Adj. Genl L. Thomas recommending him for the Colonelcy of a Negro regiment.

file