E. H. Aiken to Richard Yates

Chicago May 17/64

Hon. Richard Yates

Dear Sir I recd a Letter To day from my son on the subject of his commision. he writes me the com- were in your hands when he arrived in Washington with Cols Regt & that Major Foster Telegraphed you for them. They had not arrived & Col Bross was anxious to have my son mustered In. he went before Maj Foster he Foster gave my son copies of the appointment for to sign & a Letter of Instruction for accepting the appointment Col Bross wanted my son [to?] before the mustering officer

in order that he might be the ranking Capt he did muster In and without a question being asked the next day the [illegible - name?] went down and did as my son did & they were asked by the mustering officer if they were in the Service Two of them were & Two were not the officer would not muster In those that were In The Service because the Soldier had not got his [illegible] list and said the muster of my son was a fals muster and would not be recognised by the war department. I understand the whole matter is your hands. Col Bross is anxious to have my son the Ranking Capt

my son arrived home from the Battery about the Last of Decr on an order from the War Dept to appear at Cinisnatti of [illegible] he was put Into the recruiting office [here?] the verry next day by Col Bross remained there until he had raised over 100 men. & then went to ([C?]) & passed as 2nd Lieut and went to (2) and at the Col request has held on for a Captaincy. now can you do anything in the matter If so I wish you would. I have furnished $500 in cash to help raise this regt & feel that the authorities should do what is right in the matter

Yours Truly

E H Aiken

Aiken E H.

Chicago May 17, 64.

Wishes to know where his sons commission is detained

Prepare full answer - talk with Snyder about these commissions

After finding out what had become of the commissions wrote Mr. Aiken July 22 - 64 Loomis ADC