J. M. Stookey and others to Richard Yates

In the Field, Near Atlanta, Ga.

July 27th 1864.

His Excellency

Richard Yates, Governor Illinois.

Sir:

The undersigned Officers of Illinois Regiments now serving in the Department of the Cumberland disclaiming any desire to interfere with your privileges as Governor, or any intention to doubt your patriotism or watchful care for the interests of our soldiers in the field, beg respectfully to submit for the consideration of your Excellency, the following considerations touching the disposition to be made of the troops about to be raised in our State under the late call of the President.

it seems to us that it is all important that the new troops should be disposed of as to make them available at the earliest practicable moment.

Our Country need men at once. Will it be wise to organize as is being done in some States, new regiments waste the precious time that will necessarily be wasted in such organization, when by assigning

these new men to regiments in the field, you place them under officers of experience and at once surround them with experienced comrades, who can teach them how to cook, sleep, march and fight, whilst you strengthen and encourage the Veteran Soldiers by filling the broken ranks of his regiment.

As you are aware the Illinois regiments now in the field are very much depleted, the Veteran regiments adding to the depletion caused by the accidents of the service - those of their original members who did not re-enlist.

They appeal to you, to whom they have never appealed in vain, to give them the physical strength that they may strike more crushing blows for our Country around whose Altars so many of their Comrades Illinois Sons have fallen.

J M Stookey May '59" Ills V V Inftry Comdg 80 Ills

David McDill Surgeon 80th Ills Vols

John W Lane Chaplain 80 Ills Inft

James B Newman Adjutant 80 Ills. Vols.

Giduin Scudmas 1st Lt Co A 80 Ills Vols

John H Smith Lt Co B 80th Ills Vols

Daniel McKenzie 1st Lieut Co D 80 Ills

John R Cunningham Lt Co H 80th Ills

John a Miller 2nd Lieut Co "K"80th Ill Vol

The above list includes all the Officers now with the command

J M Stookey

Maj Comdg 80 Ills Inftry ----

IIam=91=1864

Springfield Ill

Sept 10/64

Illinois State of.

Richard yates

Gov.

Refers affidavit of Sarah Williams for discharge of her son Jno. H. Williams. Co F 129th Ill Vols A Minor. in order that he may contribute to her support. with the request that if consistent with regulations [illegible] wish may be granted

One enclosed (EM) Mappa

Recd also Sept 15/64