T.P. Robb to Richard Yates

With Rules to be observed by occupants of Union House of Refuge.

With Special Orders - No. 25.

Head Quarters I'lls State Agency

District of Jackson Tenn April 11th 1863.

To

His Excellency Richard Yates

Governor of Illinois.

Sir:

Agreeable to the suggestions of Brigadier Gen Nathan Kimball comdg the District of Jackson, I address your Excellency in reference to the practicability of providing homes in the western states for Union Refugees from the South. They consist of families, some of whose husbands are in the Union Army, and others are dead. On account of their Union sentiments they have been driven from their homes in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi.

They are destitute of means of subsistence, and have sought refuge within our lines.

They express great anxiety to find homes in the western (free) states, and show a willingness to exert themselves in any way deemed best for their future intents.

You have land and corn. Your people who send food to the needy poor of Europe, will deem it a privilege to extend the helping hand to those who are, as

it were, their widowed sisters - suffering in a common cause. No act could more fully exhibit the greateness, and goodness of your people, nor could their history contain a brighter page.

We have at the present time two hundred and thirty six at this post, with several hundred more en route. Hoping to hear from your Excellency at an early day, I remain Respectfully,

Your Obt Servt

T. P. Robb, agent for

Ills. In charge Refugees

P.S. I forward copy to the Governors of Ohio & Indiana

T.P.R.

With T. P. Robb 4/11/63

Rules

to be observed by occupants of

Union House of Refuge.

1st. No person will be allowed to leave the grounds without a pass from Major Robb, in charge.

2d. No loud talking or swearing will be permitted in the rooms and he passages of the building, and spitting on the floors or defacing the building in any way, is strictly forbidden.

3d. It is expected that persons occupying rooms, will keep the same in a cleanly condition. All beds should be made and rooms and halls swept by nine o'clock, each and every morning, and oftener if necessary.

4th. It is expressly desired that all heads of families should keep their children in a cleanly condition at all times.

5th. Lounging about the halls is positively forbidden. - Children will not be permitted to play in the halls.

6th. No persons will be allowed to enter the building - except on business - and only during business hours, without a pass from Major Robb. No general passes will be issued.

7th. All applications for passes, and all complaints must be made at the office, between the hours of 10 and 11 A. M. and 3 and 4 P. M.

8th. All broken dishes, and refuse matter must be taken to a place of deposit for same.

9th. All persons are strictly forbidden from injuring the evergreens in the seminary grounds.

10th. All lights, except in cases of sickness, must be put out when the seminary bell strikes nine.

11th. A competent Surgeon will be in attendance to care for the sick. Regulation rations will be issued as often as necessary.

12th. A school will be established for children in the building, and parents will be expected to have their children ready to attend, promptly at 9 o'clock A. M.

T. P. Robb,

Ill. Military Inspector and Ag'l. U. S. S. C., in charge Refugees.

with T. P. Robb letter 4/11/63

Headquarters Post of Jackson,

District of Jackson, 16th Army Corps.

Jackson, Tenn., April 6, 2863.

Special Orders,

No. 25.

I......A Commission consisting of

Lieut. Col. Jed. Lake, 27th Reg. Iowa Inftry. Vols.;

Major John W. True, 54th Ill. Inftry. Vols.;

Capt. Joseph McLain, 62d Ill. Inftry. Vols.,

appointed by Special Order No. 22, par. V, from these Headquarters, to assess upon the property of secessionists, and secession sympathizers, at this Post, an amount sufficient to defray the cost of supporting the Union Refugees arriving at this Post, having assessed upon the property, of persons, whose names are subjoined, the amount set opposite each. Captain Channing Richards, Post Provost Marshal, will at once proceed to collect from the said persons, the said amounts, set opposite their names respectively, as follows, to wit:

No. Names. Am't Tax'd No. Names. Am't Tax'd

1. Milton Brown, : $60 00 19. D. W. Robinson, : $9 00

2. W. H. Long, : : 30 00 20. A. J. Cross, : : 15 00

3. Sam'l I. Hayes, : 60 00 21. J. W. Campbell, : : 15 00

4. James Lyon, : : 45 00 22. Isam Bogs, : : 22 00

5. Wm. E. Butler, : 60 00 23. Wm. P. Butler, : : 15 00

6. Benj Pearsons, : 15 00 24. C. N. Still, : : 9 00

7. A. T. Pegues, : 22 50 25. J. A. Toliver, : : 15 00

8. Robert Hurt, : : 45 00 26. Robt. Chester, : : 7 50

9. D. Wormack, : 15 00 27. Alex. De Berry, : : 30 00

10. Alex Jackson, : : 15 00 28. John Alston, : : 30 00

11. Sam'l Lucky, : 15 00 29. Lorenzo Lee, : : 15 00

12. James Glass, : : 7 50 30. S. McClannigham, : 7 50

13. Benj. Long, : 15 00 31. W. H. Hunt, : : 30 00

14. G. N. Harris, : : 15 00 32. James Vaun, : 15 00

15. Benjamin Barr, : 22 50 33. T. D. Theis, : : 22 50

16. W. H. Stevens, : : 15 00 34. T. P. Scurlock, : 6 00

17. J. H. Talbot, : 15 00 35. Amos Jones, : : 6 00

18. James Miller, : : 15 00 36. Dr. R. R. Dashiel, : 6 00

The foregoing tax may be paid in provisions at Government contract prices, or the amount may be commuted and paid in money, at the option of the persons taxed. The Provost Marshal will deposit the money, or the provisions, when collected, with the Commissary of Subsistence, to the credit of Major T. P. Robb, U. S. S. C., in charge of Refugees, taking duplicate receipts from the C. S. therefor, one copy of which receipt will be returned to these Headquarters, and the other retained by him.

By Order of

Col. James M. True,

E. R. Wiley, Jr.,

Post Adjutant.

T. P. Robb

Jackson Ap'l 11-63.

Wants to know if homes cannot be provided for Union refugees, in Illinois.

Has at present 236 under his charge

Similar letter has been addressed to other Governors of Western States.

no answer, Govr

will see Robb