William Grigsby to Richard Yates

Keokuk Iowa, June 26, 1863.

Daily Gate City - Office

Governor Yates:

I write you for suitable Employment in the U.S. Service. I know from former [illegible] that you will heed my request, while if I applied to some flippant "Official" it might be cast aside or indifferently regarded! I desire to serve my country in the most effective way that now is the common duty. From hard experience (with Fremont and Hunter) It appears I cannot stand field Service. Beside I [shirk?] until in an exhausting frenzy from deliberately shooting down men and precision only is valuable. Hence I desire to become identified with the Sanitary Commission - the [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] of our grand state. I beg leave to submit briefly, [illegible]: You may remember my name Grigsby, of [Pekin?]. In 1858 you kindly recommended me to Lincoln & Herndon's office as a law student. Although Mr Lincoln by letter (Aug 3d) encouraged me, and Mr Herndon subsequently at various times; still left Roberts' Law office in Pekin to attend the Normal University seeking thereby a more quiet literary life than in Court. I served the Presidential Campaign in the Daily Pantagraph office at Bloomington and in November went to New York City - The September following I Came back to St Louis and Entered the Army "After Price". Missouri is my native state: to her [I owed?] my first services - to drive from my birthplace the despoilers. I was sworn into the service for "3 years" &c. - but was discharged at Leavenworth in March 1862. Thereupon I went to St. Joseph, Mo. and engaged as starting the first Emancipation paper west of St Louis. But when the militia was called out in July I went. A month after Gen Loran granted me an indefinite permit out of the ranks to start a paper in Atchison Co. (N.W. of State) If first announced Gen. Loan for Congress, and with the St. Joseph Herald advocated successfully his election. After the Campaign, having just over $100.00 and my wages, I went into Iowa. I helped run the Glenwood [Jnl?]. A fortnight since I left there, and am now employed on the Daily Gate city. this is my record in brief and I state it as pertinent to [illegible] commendatory of the favor I ask of you.

My friends urge me to start a newspaper to help the men [illegible] the "Copperhead" [armies?] in Illinois. This is my ambition - but what is my duty? Thats it! Really, Sir. I have no heart for [illegible] [illegible] - forward & when I view the [words?] of my Country - when I hear the [events?] of my former Comrades and many dear friends around Vicksburg! War is horrid to me - my whole nature revolts at the Spectacle of its deadly blight and Carnage - Nor am I able as has been fully attested, to stand the great nervous tension of active Campaigning - But I want to do all I can. I do not wish to [survive?] the good of my country: What is my life worth without a Republican Gov? If any country must fall let me be buried in its [illegible]. This is the [final?] account of my heart. I object (to myself) to much of the "conduct of the War": it lacks vigor & overwhelming determination - definite & mixed "policy"; but God forbid the I should Carp in such Grand Emergencies as now [illegible] up!. . .

I only ask: Let me take hold where I can effectively reveal I can willing to act in due course [& you} forebare expenses: and ask no better reward or furnishing than that of the brave Boys I seek a [illegible] and befriend- Let the Common Lot be mine. I do not shrink from positions exposed to violence and disease. I have no choice: Let {speed?] appoint me.

Please see that I have a prompt answer.

Grigsby amicus newmani [Genlors?]

Read Promptly - only nominally Editor The Hearld

The Union It mus Be Preserved

The True Patriotic Platform

Resolved That we gladly pledge our time, our utmost energies, our resources, our honor, and our lives for the speedy and unconditional suppression of the rebellion raging against the spirit and form of this Government by the most vigorous employment of the most overwhelming methods sanctioned by the right of self-defense and customary usages of war.

This is the great test question: We decide positively, emphaticaly, inexorable, freely and unequivocally, in the affirmative!

Editors George W. Reed Wm. H. Grigsby

Rock Port: Saturday, October 25, 1862

Unconditional Union County Ticket.

For Congress Gen. Ben F. Loan of Buchanan County

LD.

Terms $1.50 Per year In Advance Number 9

Book of Job.

Biblical critics seen agreed that our own [illegible] of Job was written in the East. I [illegible] that, apart from all theories about it [illegible] pen. A noble book; all men's book! [illegible]our first, oldest statement of the never [illegible] problem - man's destiny, and God's [illegible] with him here on this earth. And is [illegible] free, flowing outlines; grand it its [illegible], in its simplicity, in its epic [illegible] and repose of reconcilement. There is [illegible] seeing eye, the mildly understanding [illegible]

So true, everyway true eyesight [illegible] vision for all things; material things [illegible] than spiritual; horse - "hast [illegible] clothed his neck with thunder? he [illegible] at the shaking of the spear?" Such [illegible] likenesses were never since drawn. [illegible] sorrow, sublime reconciliation; [illegible] choral melody, as of the heart of [illegible] - so soft and great - as the [illegible] midnight, as the world with its seas [illegible] Thomas Carlyle

There are times when the pulse lies low [illegible] bosom and beats slow in the veins; the spirit sleeps the sleep that [illegible] knows no waking in its house of clay.

File G

Grigsby, Wm H.

Keokuk Iowa June 26 1863

Wishes a position as Sanitary Agent - has been in the Army with Hunter & Freemont. The governor recommended him in 1858 to Lincoln and Herndon - /u/ has since been connected with a "news paper" will be willing to go if he can only have his expenses paid. _______________________________________________________________________________

R _________

Recd ExO. June 29 1863