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Headquarters 11th Cavalry, 126th Regiment Ind. Vols.
Camp Carrington, Ind. April 13th 1864
Governor:
It has been to me a matter of pride and pleasure to know that the first suggestion in regard to "Mounted Infantry," since so valuable the Government, and now so formidable to the rebels, was mine over one year ago, forwarded to you, and with your recommendation forwarded on to the War Department. Of course it would have received very little thought or encouragement without your recommendation but that it received, and the success of that arm of the service has proved the wisdom of the recommendation.
I desire to make another suggestion, and it is only made after having been discussed by various Illinois boys, now doing service elsewhere, and others who still cling to the old State organizations, and all of whom are very anxious for the suggestion to be carried into effect. It is that the soldiers themselves be permitted to give at once an appropriate and convincing proof of their appreciation of your efforts in their behalf, and their full faith in the patriotic feeling which has prompted you. The desire is not to burden any one of all the thousands of Illinois
brave sons who are in the field; but enable each to contribute as he may feel disposed to this work. I desire to print and circulate papers for contributions in every Illinois regiment and battery in the service for the purpose of raising a fund, the total of which shall be placed in the hands of some responsible person or persons, who shall expend it in erecting a residence for you and your children which shall remain with the descendants during all coming time.
I believe the whole might be done, and a very respectable sum raised within six or nine months, and I know that the soldiers would enter into such an enterprise with a will which would rather need repressing than attempts to make the sum to be raised large.
I am now only doubt whether it would be wise to limit the donation of each or not. I should certainly desire that the contribution blanks be of an uniform size, and when all were in bound for reference hereafter, or rather that each might some day be able to prove by his signature the part he had taken in the present struggle. This, Governor, is not a mere passing fancy. I believe it can and will succeed, even beyond my expectations,
these are large. I do not, either, see any impropriety in it. I know that all will feel proud thus to give a lasting vote in your favor.
As the effort is not to be confined to one regiment I have felt it right to first inform you of the intention expressed by many to put this suggestion into execution, and stake all on make it a grand success of which the recipient may well be proud.
Hoping this may not meet with your disapproval
I am, Your Excellency's Obedient servant
Richard B. Avery
11th Ind. Vol. Cavalry
His Excellency
Gov. Richard Yates
P.S. As Illinois is first of all others in her response to the calls of the Country and of patriotism, so let Illinois soldiers be first of all others in acknowledgment of their full appreciation of the assistance they have received from the Governor of their choice
Respectfully
Your obt servt
R. R. A.
Avery, Col R. B.
Camp Carrington, Ind.
April 19, 1864.
Suggests that the Ills Soldiers be allowed to exhibit their regard for the Gov. by the whole force of Ills entering into a Subscription to create a fund to erect a Mansion for Gov and his posterity
Letter to Holloway Pr. Sec of Govr Morton requesting information about Avery.
Loomis
ADC
Gov answered Avery June 2 '64
L
Testimonial