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Aug. 4th [186]3
Major General U. S. Grant
Command'g Detachment of the Tennessee
Vicksburgh Miss:
General,
The difficulties which the agents of the State of Illinois have had to encounter in the transportation and proper distribution of Sanitary Supplies raised in this State, compel me to ask your assistance in changing the course which has been followed during the last few months, in these matters. The State of Illinois desires to control the supplies raised by the contributions of her citizens for the sick and wounded of our Army and as Governor of the State I most respectfully request you
to aid me in this by issuing an order allowing our Sanitary stores, on their arrival at Cairo, to be forwarded to our State agents at Memphis, Nashville &c. at Government expense, and without delay. There are many reasons why Illinois should have this priviledge one of the principal of which is, that under the present practice, supplies of a perishable nature, become worthless while lying at Cairo awaiting transportation This not only detracts from the value of the supplies, but is discouraging to the donors.
The citizens of this State have come forward with unparalleled generosity and have contributed since the battle of Donelson upwards of Two hundred thousand dollars in money and Sanitary Stores, as much perhaps as all other western states together. It is with the intention to have these stores supplied to Illinois soldiers only but they will be dealt out to all who may need them, and while Illinois is not [sectional?], she should have control over them as far
as to have her own agents disburse them.
Relying upon your kind assistance in this matter
I remain,
General,
With high regard,
Your obed't serv't,
Richd Yates
Governor