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Washington D.C.
January 13th 1862
Hon. Richard Yates
Gov. State of Illinois
Sir:
Will you do me the favor of stating under what circumstances I obtained the 39th Illinois Regiment of Volunteers, in my Brigade?
--Did you not know at the time I received the order that I had authority from the War Department to raise a Brigade?
Did I make any representations to you that I was a Brigadier General?
One Elihu B. Washburn M;C. of Illinois from the Galena District I am
told, - Two Thousand miles from Washington City at least, that is the distance the Books of the Sergeant at Arms show he has drawn mileage as M.C. For the last eight years, in a certain report called The Van Wyck investigating Committee Report, has attempted to impeach my integrity and defame my character, cowardice prompting this channel to gratify his revenge on me—when the instincts of gentility and manhood failed to seek redress, in a gentlemanly manner.
- I enclose, herewith, that part of the Report, referred to—pages 118,119, & 120-- Your early reply will
In the course of a day or two you went to Washington remained there two weeks – in the meantime the Regt.- was ordered with out your knowledge to Saint Louis – and were unarmed – on your return gave me a strong letter to Genl Fremont asking him to let me have the Regt.--which he did –observe that this was about the time that the six Regts—were called for by the Sec. Of War from Ills--
Please write at once –
(suggestions) I arrived in Springfield about the 27th of Sept. had already in Chicago De Witt Co. and other Counties in Ills, some men raised—you remonstrated against my recruiting –said it—would be a bad example to others –wanted the credit of [yr?] men to the State--
Offered me voluntarily the 39th Reg if I would recruit no more – & give up my men I objected stating I did not want men already raised but wanted to recruit them –finally agreed to take the 39th –
greatly oblige
Your friend & obt servt--
Ward H Lamon
Col. Ward H. Lamon
Washington City
Jany 13th
As to Yates Phalnax & Grig. Genl.