B. F. Sheets to Richard Yates

Oregon Ogle Co Illinois

July 23rd 1864

Hon Richd Yates

Gov Ills.

My Dear Sir

Your esteemed favor of the present month enclosing photographs is received. Please accept the thanks of myself and family.

I am gratefull to you for the kind feelings expressed in your letter. I am home only from a sense of duty to my loved ones and creditors. I bring with me a conciousness that while in the army I served the country honestly and faithfully. Misfortunes in business have pressed hard upon me since 1857 and I am anxious to so arrange my affairs now as to again offer my services to the country I love. My health is considerable impaired but I think I can yet endure active duty.

I learned before leaving the army that you would probably be sent to the senate. I need not assure you that it will give me great pleasure to aid you all in my power thus serving our noble cause. We need in our congress - especially at this time true and tried men - Men of real worth - Men who dare do right. Men who embracing the truth

dare declare the same whether it be popular or not. We want leaders - for servants of the people - Men of thought & action.

When a "Whig boy" I read your speeches and have watched you with increasing interest since. I regard you as a fearless champion of truth & liberty - as such I support you.

I need scarcely tell you that I have been greatly disgusted with our present congress. There has been a want of honest action & of determined effort. There has been but a slight exhibition of that lofty patriotism which in an hour of trial like the present, overlooks self and sacrifices all personal interests for the good of the nation. In this time of peril we need men who care little for present honor but who seizing the great events of the hour control them under the Providence of God, to the permanent good of the country & to the blessing of the world. Men who shall act - not for self alone, but for generations yet unborn.

Cotton I believe it is who says - "He who can only control circumstances, must yield to him who can both make and control."

O how I have longed to see in our congress a brave, fearless man with moral courage to proclaim the truth and to lead the way in rescueing our country and saving our fair heritage. I tell you if we had

have been blessed with proper legislation or with no legislation at all - this rebellion would have been crushed long ere this. And now after three years of toil & sacrifice - it is not in the power of the government to replenish its wasted armies readily owing to the acts of our legislators. I pray God may impart unto us a nation nerve & moral courage to rise above the circumstances that surround us and meet like men the Responsibilities of the hour.

I shall cheerfully & earnestly support you for the Senate. If I should not return to the army, it is my intention to speak in every township of this County during the fall.

Among your warm friends here is Mr Petrie - my father in law. Also Hon J C Gale. Let me suggest that you place little reliance upon the professions res collectors in this Congressional District.

Please advise me from time to time of your wishes and believe me Gov

Respectfully your friend & Obt Svt

B. F. Sheets.

Sheets. B. F.

Oregon. Ogle Co Ills

July 23d 1864

Returns thanks for Gov's photograph. Promises his earnest support in the coming campaign.

(in pencil) I forgot what we wrote him

Senatorial