J. S. Irwin to Richard Yates

Pittsfield Ill

Aug 27, 1861

Richard Yates

Friend Yates -

I know you are overrun with applications from friend & foe but in your last [illegible] you do me the justice to say that I have not been one of the troublesome kind

I wrote you some time since in behalf of J. S. Fenn an old friend of mine who at that time was staying in Memphis working out his contract on their R. R. Since that Mr Fenn has returned home abandoning his contract & failing to get his pay. he is now in Mt Sterling begging for something to do - he is a [illegible] civil engineer

and could have gotten big wages from the confederates but abandoned all for his principles - while so many men of less merit are obtaining situations. can you not do something for him - I would not ask any such benefit for a person unfitted or not worthy - and is the only personal favor I shall ask of you - and if there is any vacancy any where give your old friend a [show?] for one he wishes to oblige -

Write me at your earliest leisure at Mt Sterling -

Yours with much respect

J S Irwin

J. S. Irwin

Position for Fenn

Pittsfield