John Shuff to Richard Yates

Head Qtrs Co A 106th Ills vols Pine Bluff Ark March 27/65 Hon Richard Yates U.S. Senator Sir I have the honor through request of writting a letter for Marshall Gates in regard to the appointment to the military school at West Point Marsh wants to go and will except the appointment Marsh is having very good health now he has been sick all last winter I wrote you a letter for him once before in which I requested you to get him out of the service if you could or get him a position where he can take care of himself How old does a man have to be to get nito the military school I would like very much myself if I could get nito the military school or some position where I could keep out of the sun I was sun struck at Clarendon last summer ----and I cannot stand hot weather It is reported here that [Kuby?] Smith is marching on this place with 50,000 fifty thousand strong if he comes he will take this place just as easy as snap your finger this department has been [created?] very mean I [thing?think?], in regard to pay but finally the paymaster has arrived at Little Rock with funds to pay this dept there is deserters comming in most evry day or two I must bring this epistle to a close there is no news of any importance to communicate today I remain your most obt servt John W. Shuff capt Co A 106 Ills vols

Capt Shuff as to Marshal Gates wrote Stanton requesting discharge of Marshal Gates May 7 1865 answered Shuff that Cullom could not appoint Marsh for want of vacancy & also would be glad if I could get place for him