B. F. Hunt to Richard Yates

St Charles Illin. Nov. 30 1863 [Illegible] R Yates Springfield

Dear Sir

Allow me to Call your attention to this town for one Moment I suppose the Govrmnt through You as Commander of the Military in this State is Recruiting a Regiment of [Calry?] at this [illegible] no 17 on the Army list.

I Suppose this is at this Time Some 3 to 350 men here I have granted to yous a [illegible] [illegible] the finishing of putting up the Barrack for the some [illegible] land. Some of them built and the men have gon in to them Some Six or Eight Days ago and all [thought?] Seam to be a going on well -- over

But Sir I have one Request to make of you I Want you to give me Some advise What Corse I Should take to Stop the Men from destroying my property or how I am to get my pay for it

I have a building Standing about 10 Rods from the Barrack that has Cost me Some $2000 Doller I built it for a [illegible] and have yoused it for such for a few years but on [illegible] help have let it stand Idle for the last year.

Scence the men have ben put in to the Barracks they have commenced [tarning?] it down For [illegible] wood as they Say at any rate they have about Spoilt it [illegible] the time the [Richn?} youd Expect it will be all down and taken to the Barracks

and burned up.

I have made my Complaints here to men who claim to be officers but they Say that they have not the power to to prevent their men from doing what they wish

If my property is [Wanted?] for Earth [Govrmt or Statt?] to put down the Cruel War I Say take it But I don not like to See property [distroyed?] for the want of proper men to take charge of affairs

Pls Say to me what I can dew in this Case and obldg yours your obt Servant

B. F. Hunt

Hunt, B F.

St Charles Ill Nov 30 63

The Soldiers are destroying his property - wishes to know how he can obtain pay for a building they have destroyed.

Answered Dec 11th that the 17th Cav. is being raised by Genl Farnsworth under order War Dept-- State authorities nothing to do with barracks at St Charles. Officers in command should stop depredations and War Dept should have report and hear claims for damages

Loomis ADC

Executive Office Dec 31 1863