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Camp near Rolla
Aug 22 1861
Hon Richard Yates
Dear Gov
Unofficially you no doubt would like to keep advised of the state of things in Missouri and my regiment and indeed all the regiments regard themselves as Illinoisans, though in the Federal Service and look to you as their natural leader You would be astonished at the extent of this feeling If these military operations had not progressed and my advice was asked I would insist that as Governor of Illinois you take the person of command of all our troops in the field indeed I am not sure but you ought to demand it now such a course would [illegible] the protection of our men from the effects of the Squabbles and jealousies of Small minded men the regular army or from other States to which at present we are Sacrificed and the state of affairs here illustrates For illustration There are at Rolla now three armies under three independent commanders and [illegible] Small where [united?] are Scattered over some five miles of counties exposed to destruction from an enterprising enemy of even half their aggregate strength Wyman (Ills 13th) and Stevenson (Mo 7th) occupy a ridge east of Rolla less than half mile Ills 14th and 15th are encamped two and a half or three miles SW of Rolla together on a ridge near an abundance of Wood and Water about a mile Still further west Maj [Stinges?] with the Artillery the remains of the Kansas 1st & 2nd and some regulars is encamped while South west something more than a mile Sigel with a few hundred men encamps-- Wyman commands the three regiments and the 7 Mo and claims the chief command – and is entitled to it
Stinges who has been drunk on all the three or four occasions when I have met him refuses to be commanded and Spends most of his time cursing Sigel who has gone to St Louis If some commander was present who could and would take charge of these discordant elements some useful results might be expected but [Ben McCalleyn?] will command us if he chooses to come upon us quietly and demand for we can render but little support to each other-- Gen Pope might have met this demand as an Illinois man and there is so much complaint of his bad temper and arbitrary conduct it may be doubted now if he can do Still he is the best man all concede for [illegible] among the men who had and I should personally be satisfied with him But Illinois ought have a Maj Genl and who can demand it so properly as the Governor who can and has raised 50,000 men and who could thus represent his state politically and in the field with a commanding influence If this not worth attention
The Battle of Springfield was a terrible affair Our loss was a full thousand killed and wounded and the rebel loss at least three thousand, The rebels are now massing in the direction of Jefferson leaving a heavy force at Springfield or in that vicinity though they will not be able to maintain their forces there very long. They have desolated the country all around Springfield and will consume everything in the west the poor people there must suffer this winter unless which is possible The South [west?] Mo. is deserted
We get no news here from Illinois except he Meager Scraps found in the Mo Democrat Who are the New Colonel, and who the Brigadier General we know nothing I suppose the regular army is to furnish all the officers for positions they will accept
Yours &c
J M Palmer
M Palmer Miscellany