Richard E. Randolph to Richard Yates

Cairo Illinois May 24th 1861

To His Excellency Richard Yates

Governor of Illinois and Commander in chief

Sir:

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's letter of the 22nd, and without any hesitation, desire to assure you, that in my application for a lieutenancy in the army, I had not the slightest wish to "displace" any officer already elected - I had supposed that the officers to be appointed by the Governor, in the thirty nine regiments, called for by the President, on the fourth of may, were entirely outside, and extra, to those who had already been Elected, in the first call for 75000 men The latter as I read the law were for only three months and were to be elected by their respective companies. The latter were for three years, and their appointment was to be made by the "Governor of the state furnishing them"

As a mere politician, and partisan, I well knew that I had no claims - I was opposed to the Election of Mr Lincoln and had I been in Illinois at the time of the election I

should have voted against him - But this is a question now far above and beyond every party consideration. It is a question now which involves the very existence of the government - Under these circumstances, and believing in my soul, that Mr Lincoln since his accession to the Presidency, has acted as a pure and Enlightened patriot and states man and that he has by his course eminently vindicated the honor and dignity of our country, I felt bound as an honest man to offer myself, and my services, to your Excellency - but in doing so, I again most emphatically declare, that I had not the slightest desire to "displace" anyone Hoping your Excellency will believe me in this regard

I have the honor to assure your Excellency

of my highest regard and respect

Richd E. Randolph

Rich E. Randolph

Ansd

R E Randolph