Presco Wright to John Logan

Springfield, Ill Dec. 6th, 1864

Major Genl. John A Logan,

Dear General,

Since my conversation with you at the St Nicholas Hotel when last you were in our city, I have consulted with other gentlemen who are your friends and we have carefully considered the subject of your candidacy for the U S Senate, and have talked the matter over with our friends and we are unanimously of the opinion that it is impracticable for you to become a candidate and if your friends who have urged it upon you to run persist in pushing you into the ring that we cannot support you with the least hope of success. Our conclusions are based upon an actual canvass of the chances for each of the other prominent gentlemen named for the place- and our conviction that it would be the worst possible thing you could do to awaken opposition among the personal friends of Governor Jules or any of the other candidates. We cannot think of your becoming a candidate except to win, and as we firmly believe you cannot do that, now we decidedly object to you or your friends joining in a scheme which could only injure Yates

who is our choice, and the advantage of Washburn or some other man who we may be opposed to. The Governor of the State Yates has pursued a policy and sustained the state and the administration with an earnestness, vigor, and ability which has endeared him to the army and made him the unanimous choice of the people. He has been liberal to our War Democratic wing of the Union Party and we have everything to gain by sustaining him, and all to loose by joining in a clicque to defeat him. The army would look upon his defeat as a miserable piece of "political thimble rig" and the people would resent it indignantly. The canvass has been made with special reference to his election and the people expect the Legislature, to carry out their unanimously expressed choice.

You have made a record in the field and in the State of which your friends, and all lovers of the union are present and we say to you, with the most earnest desire to favorably effect your interest, do not let partial friends or ambitious politicians allow you to fritter away your real strength and stronghold upon the people in this Senatorial race.

Your services have been reasonably recognized by the Gov't and until the Rebellion is more surely destroyed, your place is at the head of your unconquerable divisions in the

field.- Yates has been your friend - this we know, and it is rather hard to believe that you can now be made to array yourself or any of your friends against him.

Two years from this time we hope to see you from fields of danger and honor, with, if possible, still more enduring claims upon the affections of the people, and you will then have the strongest men that you would now array against you forever - Your warmest, and most efficient supporters.

Hoping for your future wellfare and hapiness we subscribe ourselves your friends

Signed Presco Wright.

Presco Wright and others to

Maj Gen'l Jn A Logan

Dec. 6th 1864