Fred Avery to Richard Yates

Office of the American Arms Company

498 Broadway,

New York, April 16 1863

Governor,

I notice by the papers of to day that you have issued orders "under the authority of the War Department to raise a force of soldiers for the guard & protection of the State of Illinois from hostile aggression."

On the 3rd of August 1862, you addressed a letter to the Sec'y of War in which you say, "I respectfully ask that two of the "Union Repeating Guns" be furnished to each of the Regiments now forming in this state. I believe they will add greatly to the efficiency of our troops"---which letter was handed to me by Maj [Rowlands?]

The American Arms Company, whom I represent, made about 60 of these guns on the special order of the President of the United States, a part of which I personally delivered to the "Army of the Potomac" at Yorktown & the White House, & several of them were used with great effect & advantage at Williamsburg, Warwick, Gaines Mills & other

battle fields, as I have the written testimony of Major Genl. Sickles, Col. Van Wyck 56th Reg NY Vol. & other officers of high rank & intelligence to prove---& a part I delivered to the Arsenal at Washington.

Shortly after receiving your letter to the Secy of War (which is now before me) I called at the War Dept. in Washgtn & not being able to see the Sec'y I handed your letter to Mr. Watson Asst. Secr, together with a letter of the same purport from Gov. Curtin of Pennsylvania, & was contemptously told that "they paid no attention to letters from Governors of State there, for any one who has personal or political influence could get any kind of a recommendation from them."

Genl'. Wool, Fremont, & Sickles---Col. [Serrill?], Graham, all the Colonels of the Pennsylvania Regiment, & others, have made requisitions for the guns in the Arsenal at Washington, & they could not get them. But Genl. Ullmann got 8 of them last week, & has taken them with him to the South. 20 of them are now in the Arsenal, & in [govt?]

[order?], as I am informed---& paid for.

Our Company have 20 nearly completed, & a manufactory expressly for them, from which we can turn out 2 or more a week.

The Navy Dept. has ordered 4 for Admiral Porter on the Mississippi, & I am informed, (altho. I have not yet received the official order) that he has made a requisition for one for each boat of the Western flotilla.

I trust your Excellency will excuse this long communication. You know the guns. You know that two of them manned by 10 men each, will deliver as many shots in a given time, as a Regiment, & with greater range & accuracy. At this critical moment, when so much depends upon the events of the next few months every well wisher to our Country should adopt the best means for its defense & for offence. I write a statement of facts, & if your Excellency still desires the Regiments of Illinois to have the most effective arm ever known, I shall be happy & honored to hear from you.

I am sir Your obt servt

Fred Avery

His Excellency Gov. Rich'd Yates

Illinois

ansd. Apl 21 - 63.

Fred Avery

Office of American Arms Co

New York April 16 1863.

Says he has a letter that was addressed to the Sect of War from the Governor asking that two of the "Union Repeating guns" be furnished to each regiment now forming in this State. says he now has 20 on hand. they have done good service with the army of the Potomac. would be glad to supply---with any number required.

order revoked, no [a o cation?] for guns.

Recd Ex O. April 20 1863.