S. C. [Blake] to Wilson

HEAD QUARTERS,

YATES PHALANX INDEPENDENT REGIMENT,

Austin Light, Colonel.

Thos. O. Osborn, Lieut. Col.

Frank. H. Marshall, Adjutant.

Wm. H .Ranstead, Major.

D. W. Tillinghast, Quarter Master.

Chicago Aug. 15th 1861

Dear Friend Wilson

Your letter of the 12th has been received which gave new impetus to our regiment.

The [illegible] “War Com.” have been after us, for the reason that we have the Govrs name at our head, and have threatened to break up our organization, and transfer our men to the “Douglas Brigade” but we gave the “Committee” to understand that we were given a certain time to fill up which had not yet expired and when it did, we should ask for more, if [we?] needed it, and should expect [illegible] as well as other regiments none of which had filled up in the time given. Friend Sol. you can have no idea [how?] vindictive the enemies of the Gov [are?] here they have put in circulation the [illegible] old stories of last Spring [illegible] they are using every effort in

Dr S.C. Blake file only

their power to spread though the city. Dr. Gibbs told me to day that last night a man at the “Tremont House threatened to whip him because he (Gibbs) denied that the Gov. was drunk all the time.

We have mustered in about 100 men since I wrote you and we shall have 400 men by Monday night next.

There is evidently a conspiracy to break us up and put our men into the “Douglas Brigade”. Capt. Webb has used all his influence against us although we well know that he is only sent here to muster in men yet he is interfering, and tells what he is going to do with us &c. &c.

If there is any possible way for [us?] to fill up in Chicago do in the name [of?] justice help us to do so, if not we [illegible] to go to Camp Butler. Cannot Gov. Yates have this man Webb displaced by a man who will attend to his business, he evidently [feels?] himself superior to the Gov. himself. Write immediately.

Your Friend

S.C.[Blake?]