Joseph Knox to Richard Yates

Chicago April 26th/62

His Excellency Govr Yates -

My dear Sir -

I recently wrote a letter of censure to you, with heart-felt sincerity, (the only way that Jo. Knox ever writes a letter) but since I wrote it, I have known more & better of you. I'll tell you how I acquired my knowledge. I have just recd a letter from my more than "well beloved son" George, of Capt. Silversparre's Battery at Pittsburg Landing, in which he speaks of your kind & condescending notice of him on that bloody battle field & invitation to call in the eve'g at your quarters. For that, Governor, my heart gushes its warmest thanks. I may copy our Saviours language & say to you, "whosoever doeth it to me of the least of these (my babies) doeth it unto me". Yates,

let by gones, be by gones. "Let the dead bury their dead". Talk enough about the past - but Governor, may you live forever for your kind notice of my good boy, so far from home. And when you die, (& may not that occur 'till after I have gone) may George & I & all our family be able to say of you that tho' Gov. Yates has left us - gone - yet he has not fallen - for swinging out into an infiinty under orbit, he has circled up to Heaven's Eternal throne, where now, all temporal & material

"Stars are but the shining dust of his divine abode,

The pavement of those Heavenly Courts, where he shall reign with God".

Gov'r, am yr grateful & Ever true friend

Jos. Knox

Jos Knox

Chicago Ills

April 26th 1862

Explaining a letter previously wrote, and returning thanks for favors received -

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