John A. Woods to John R. Woods

Illinois State Military Agency

10 N. Fifth Street

St. Louis, Mo., Aug. 11, 1864.

Col. John R. Woods

Sec'y Ill. San. Com.

Dear Colonel

In my visits to Hospitals in this Department the inquiry is often made by Illinois soldiers - and generally with a look and manner evincing great interest in the reply - "Are you going to have us transferred to our own State?" I expected to have ere this, some instructions or orders from Gov. Yates concerning the matter, but have received none, except directions to effect the transfer of certain men in the Marine Hospital here, to Quincy, Ill. This, as I wrote him, cannot be done, because the Hospital at Quincy is already full.

I have just seen Surgeon Madison Mills, Medical Director in this Department, and requested the transfer to Springfield, Ill., of men whose term of service has nearly expired - so that they might there be mustered out with their

regiments. But as there is no General Hospital at Springfield his orders, which he receives from Dr. R. C. Wood, Ass't Surgeon General, Louisville, Ky. do not permit him to make such transfer. Surgeon Mills appears quite willing to accommodate, so far as his orders will allow as is shown by the fact that he has, at my request, directed the Surgeons in charge of the U. S. Marine, and Jefferson Barracks, Hospitals to grant furloughs to such men as are above referred to.

Now I should like some specific instructions in regard to this matter of transfers

1. Are there any U. S. Gen. Hospitals in the State of Illinois beside the one at Quincy? If so, where?

2. Can I be authorized to procure from Ass't Surgeon General Wood, Louisville, Ky., orders for transfer in special cases?

One other question, only indirectly connected with the subject. Are all regiments mustered out of the service at Springfield, on only such as were there mustered in?

I am Colonel

Very respectfully

Your Obedient Serv't

John H Woods

Illinois State Military Agent

Saint Louis Agency

Major J. H. Woods

Saint Louis Mo. Aug 11, 1864

Ills Soldiers at St. Louis Hospitals anxious to be transferred to Ills. - Medical Director is willing to send them. The Agent wants instructions: and information whether there are any Gen Hospitals in Ills, beside that at Quincy.

Gen Head Qrs Adjutant Genls Office Sanitary Dept.

Springfield

Aug 12 1864

Very respectfully referred to his Excellency Gov Yates, with request that appropriate instructions be furnished the Agent, and the information denied be given at an early date.

John R Woods

Sec. Ills. San. Com

A. G. O Aug 12 1864

Have 20 men transferred immediately & report to Mr Buck Sup - in the city at an office 80 more to be transferred when verified.