P. B. Fouke to Richard Yates

[Letterhead Office of Sam De Bow & Co. Wholesale Grocers, Commission Merchants & Cotton Factors, 26 Common & 46 Canal Sts.

Sam De Box 278 Front Row Memphis.]

New Orleans, La Jan 7th 1865

Dear Friend

Inclosed you will find the proceedings of a meeting of Illinois officers present in this City-- I recd your letter at Vicksburg, forwarded from Memphis. I found it impossible to be at Springfield in time to do you any good. I therefore accepted the next best thing for your interests. I found a large number of Illinois Soldiers here & soon found out their predelictions on the question of Senator. I immediately called a meeting at the “St. Charles Hotel,” in my room of all Illinoisians interested in the matter. I inclose you the result of their deliberations – there was not a dissenting voice – all for Dick Yates, for United State Senator Drunk or sober, whiskey or no whiskey – all all for Dick Yates.. More brains! more Sincerity!! more patriotism, when drunk than all his oponents when sober. I speak plain – but I assure you, I

am but stating the facts – the army are unanious for you & it will be a burning shame & a fraud upon the army & upon everything that is just, patriotic & right if you should be defeated. I send you a hasty copy of the proceedings of the meeting in advance of the official copy. See your friends in both branches of the Legislature & have them postpone the caucus until the army can be heard from. It will take several days to have the proceedings signed—but it will be done as soon as posible & forwarded. I send this in advance to notify your friends, that the soldiers wish to be heard on this matter & they swear eternal vengeance on any man or set of men who take advantage of their absence & their openly expressed views. God & the Soldiers are with you. Success attends you is the sincere prayer of

Your friend

PB Fouke

Fouke P.B. New. Orleans Jan 7th 65-

Could not come here in time to do you any good. But had a meeting of all Illinois soldiers [ture?] at St Charles Hotel and they unanimously declared “Dick Yates” to be their choice for Senator