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State of Illinois
Executive Department.
Springfield September 30th 1861
Dear Governor,
I enclose you herewith Shobers Bill for Printing (receipted) although it has not yet been paid. I wish it might be paid without delay as half of it was due in July.
I staid in St Louis longer than I expected, being very busy all the time chasing after one thing and another (No women included) but I did not succeed in accomplishing anything satisfactory.
I found the City filled with contractors and jobbers. A great deal of flurry in the Quartermasters Deptmt, but on every side I heard complaints of the insufficiency of the supplies.
It is said that Fremont has no credit - and hence this want of equipments. Certainly the US have money. Why is it not used?
I saw the remnant of Mulligans Brigade when they arrived at St Louis. It was indeed a sorry sight, but they hardly looke worse than other soldiers at Benton Barracks, who have seen no service.
Capt Weides Cavalry Co from Chicago was ordered into service and I saw them leave the Barracks for the enemy's country last Friday with only four sabres, the private property of the officers. Only thirty of the men were clothed thoroughly, while many had not wherewithal to cover their nakedness, and so I might go on telling what I have seen, Sights which filled me with grief and shame.
Our Western troops have been sent into
the field, with few exceptions, poorly clothed and armed, many without any arms at all.
I hope you will try and wake up the powers at Washington to a sense of their duty. It is hardly possible to exagerate the miserable condition of our men. The Irish Brigade has now been in service three months and have not received one cents pay.
For God's sake let us have something done. Upon arriving at the office to day I find that Judge Fuller is playing Governor, I have no doubt that he will do it [brown?], but he is very much impressed with the idea of magnifying his office, and one would think that he was four Governors rolled into one.
Hoping soon to see you with
the objects of your journey accomplished and your health restored, I remain
Very truly Your Friend
S. M. Willson.
S. M. Wilson.
Springfield
Sept 30th 62 -
Enclosing Shobeys bill for Printing (receipted) part of it due in July.
Col. Wilson
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