John R. Woods to Richard Yates

General Head-Quarters, State of Illinois,

Adjutant General's Office.

Sanitary Department.

Springfield, April 26, 1864.

His Excellency, Richard Yates

Governor of Illinois

My Dear Sir

You will be delighted to learn officially what has doubtless reached you eve this from private sources, that our "Soldiers Home" is built, inaugurated, under way, and is working like a charm. Before the carpenters and whitewashers had evacuated it, I invited the glorious old 17th about 10 o clock one night to take up their quarters beneath its roof. They did so. and the next day were treated to a dinner by our blessed women. The chips, shavings, whitewash tubs and buckets were disregarded, the boys would not permit me to apologise for any thing but insisted on calling it a grand good place. It was properly dedicated on the night of the 21. The prayer of Mr Hale and the speech of Genl Fuller were all right, and if you had been there to take your part in the ceremonies, I should have been so perfectly satisfied that I could most willingly have said, "now the great thing is accomplished let me go home to my quiet cottage and little farm."

But I would have been mistaken, for there is yet much to be done and now, dear Governor, I come with my appeal to you to do a part of it. Let me explain. The Home must be conducted systematically. and economically, and to do this we need the countenance, the recognition and the direct assisstance of the War department.

over

We want authority to draw rations for the men whom we may from time to time accommodate. I mean of course, wayfaring Soldiers entitled to rations. Those who are not, we shall provide for. We want, assistants from the ranks, detailed by the proper officers, to act in capacity of Guards, Cooks &c. of sufficient number to enable us to manage our Home efficiently.

We shall require about 15 cots, matresses, with bedding similar to that allowed in Hospitals. I shall take the general supervision, and wish to have every department of the Home under my immediate control, while I am connected with the Commission or until any one shall say I dont do right. You can get all the privileges we need from the Government, and for the Homes sake, Your sake and my sake, I really want you to do so. The House must have a head to it. Neither of the Directors can give it their personal attention. I assumed some authority, and thus far it has been a decided success. Pres Reynolds and Director Hawley have labored day and night for it. The other Directors have cooperated and now Sir the Opposition which we have been fighting all winter, has vanished. Cannot and will not the War Dept. clothe me with a little authority in this matter. I don't ask to have my small salary increased, all I wish for at the hand of Secretary Stanton is a recognition which will increase my authority. You know it would not be abused in my hands. Cant he commission me as special Agent of the War Dept. for this purpose -- He may pile on the responsibility. I will take it all, and fear it not. Now dear Governor, help us all you can. Please get authority from Genl Commissary for us, or for me, to draw what rations we may need

and from the War Department the like authority to get from the Qr. Master here, cots and clothing.

It is my most anxious desire to have the Home so admirably conducted as to elicit the praise of all. and the more intimately you can identify yourself with its progress and popularity the brighter still will shine your already brilliant reputation as the Soldiers friend. I have no personal ambition to gratify. I seek no elevation in, or to office. I simply want to do what you in your kind partiality, seem to think is my duty, and which I can perform, as yourself and some others appear to think, about as well as any body else.

If I could have 5 minutes talk with President Lincoln or Secretary Stanton, could get all we want to make our Soldiers Home just what it should be. I am so averse to travelling that a journey to Washington would be more than I would undertake, unless the object of it could in no other way be accomplished. I have written this under most unfavorable circumstances - sickness and weariness - please pardon its length and familiarity. Try and gather from it what we want, and then please burn it. and oblige your

Most faithful friend

and Servant

John, R, Woods

Sec. Ills San Commission

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Woods. Col John R.

San'y Dept.

Springfield. Ills

April 26. 1864

On the inauguration of the "Soldiers Home" at Springfield. and what is still required to render the institution perfect.

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