[Richard Yates] to John Pope

Springfield August 12 1861.

Dear General

I heartily thank you for your good letter, and fully endorse all that you said or did. Moreover I think such efficiency and promptness have added to the already high appreciation, in which your friends and the public hold you. Our friend Loomis has the letter and the papers which you were kind enough to send me, and will as soon as possible prepare for publication such portions of the letter, and the printed matter as we think best.

I understand that you are remaining at St Louis by request of General Fremont, and now may I ask you as a good friend of Illinois, to intercede with the General, to let the 13 Regiments of Infantry, the 4 Regiments of Cavalry, and one battallion of Artillery, remain in our camp until we equip them, which shall be done soon, and in the best style? I am sending all the

2

good drill officers there which I can get, and intend, General, if so permitted to send you from that camp an army of which you and Illinois and Gen'l Fremont will be proud. I shall visit it often in person, and cheer the officers and men to aim at, and to achieve as high military discipline as possible.

I have a personal pride in this which I know you would like to gratify. In the mean time I am doing and will continue to do, all I can, to carry out the orders of the Maj Gen'l in sending to him the Independant Regiments (now 14 in number) as rapidly as possible.

I desire also that Gen Fremont shall send me the names of some persons for officers of which he wrote me not long since. I will also thank you for suggestions on the same subject.

I have already determined that I will adopt your suggestion as to tendering

3

an appointment to Capt Carlin. Where is he now? I think in the formation of the battalion of Artillery I shall call home if possible from the US Army four sons of Illinois for Captains, and one for Major. Do you suppose that they could be transferred? Indeed I hope Gen Fremont and yourself will, as far as may be appropriate, give me the names of Illinoisians for the officers you may suggest. It would have a good effect among our people to know that the sons of the State, were coming home to risk their fate with hers, and to aid in securing new glories to those she has already achieved on so many fields.

I had thought especially of Martin D. Hardin, and Capt Carlin, who else will you suggest?

Again could not Gen Fremont be induced to appoint on his staff some prominent man from Illinois who

4

would keep him advised of the number, and disposition of our troops and who would also vigilantly watch the interests of the State, securing to her troops as honorable positions as possible. I believe he would consent to this if you would undertake to present him the advantage of such an arrangement. It would save him much trouble from reading long letters as we could directly correspond with our representative on his staff - so as it would be of great importance as our representative from his stand point at Head Quarters could give to the Governor information which could secure more efficiency and contribute much to the fame which our State hopes to achieve in this great Contest. I think that to grant this request is due to our noble State which unless restrained by Federal Authority will in one hundred days have one hundred thousand

5

brave volunteers in the field ready to fight on 'till this highhanded rebellion shall be put down and 'till victory glorious overwhelming and complete shall stream from all our banners. Do urge this with all earnestness upon Gen Fremont and get his answer as speedily as possible.

I have no choice as to who shall be that representative so that he is competent to the great duty. I have thought of Gov Koerner provided he would accept it but could suggest a number of good names from whom or from others, he, (Gen Fremont) might make his selection.

From a conversation I had with Col Shaffer I was reassured of your friendship and partiality toward me in saying you would be glad to see me appointed Maj General. This is indeed a compliment for which I shall ever remember you with gratitude. Hon J A McClernand also did me the honor to propose the same. While I

6

am ready to serve my country to the utmost of my poor capacity I should hesitate much and long, before accepting a position (even if tendered which I do not apprehend will be done) for which others and especially yourself are better qualified. I confess I feel cramped where I am in vain begging from Washington for power to do what so evidently ought to be done - and where I see what a man of energy and intellect might do as Major General of the Grand Army of Illinois in preparing for and vigorously prosecuting this war when it is palpable that every point upon our river could be could be speedily and impregnably occupied and the last traitor in our sister States made to lay down his arms and sue for peace

I do hope you will write me often I desire to file your letters for reperusal when the stirring events of the present shall have

7

passed away, provided we shall survive them.

I have written you in great haste and hope you will excuse the style and especially the length of my letter.

Your friend

Copy of letter

Aug 12.

To Gen John Pope