Charles C. Thompson to Richard Yates

Springfield Aug 31/61

His Excellency

Govr Yates - That I may not trespass too much on your time and explain my purposes, and avoid the odium too justly attaching to office seekers for the sake of pecuniary consideration, I take the liberty of addressing you this letter - and at the risk of saying too much of myself, I shall venture to speak out, write who and what I am, and of my purposes - I will venture to introduce myself as Brother in Law to the late Hon. Rufus Choate of Boston - and this only as showing to your Excellency my social relations to be those of a gentleman and yet of no importance, except so far as these relations are sustained by personal character of which my letters introductory will speak = Previous to my collegiate course, I had the advantage of three years military

instruction, under the late Capt. Alden Partridge = for eighteen years Superintendent at West Point, at his Military School at Norwich Vermont - and followed this by a service of three years as a Common Sailor before the mast on board of a Whalemen = by which means I early acquired a military and seamans education - the military part of which I have since to some extent kept alive - I was lately chosen Captain of the "Home Guard" Company A at Chicago =

Having [illegible] thus far, it is now my wish and intention to identify myself with the army for and during the continuance of this war = and to this end have arranged my business and social relations = Were I a few years younger I would [commune?] in the ranks = as it is, it is not my wish to ask for, neither would I accept high and responsible command until I may arrive there by and through actual experience in active service = nor do I wish or ask for high pecuniary position = Were this

my object, I should have remained at home = where my business income was far greater than any I should expect to receive from the public service = and perhaps it is unnecessary to say in this connection, that my position as to property renders unnecessary high pecuniary pay = all this I leave out the question = My simple purpose is, some official position in connection with the army, in the faithful discharge of the duties of which, I shall be in position to acquire military experience by active service, in which I may from time to time find opportunity to engage -

In short, I have determined to devote myself heart and soul in the active service of my Country = believing & being fully persuaded, that the Country demands the service of her best Citizens = and enjoining that an early education has fitted me for this service and that I have sound health and a strong arm to give to her = To this end, I

ask the consideration of your Excellency = you will pardon me the liberty I have taken = and perhaps on reading this, and the accompanying letters introductory, willl allow me an half hour private interview, where I can explain more particulars -

The place you may be pleased to give me, will be the more highly appreciated, in proportion as it shall afford me the opportunity of giving most effectively my best services to the necessities of my Country =

Will your Excellency be so kind to indicate to me, when I may have a moments interview = I am at the "Cheney House" = I shall be pleased to await your convenience =

Yours with Highest Respect

Charles C. Thompson