Franklin Blades to Richard Yates

Middleport Ills

31st July 1862

Governor Yates

Dear Sir

I herewith inclose Certificate of Board of Medical Examiners of my having successfully passed examination

The more I think about the matter the more anxious I am to have the place of Surgeon instead of Assistant Knowing the Kindly interest you have expressed for me I write a little more frankly than I otherwise would as to why I would prefer that place. In the first place, considering my pecuniary Circumstances, the Salary is something of an object; and in the next place the place of assistant is liable to be made a very onerous and disagreable one. I have confidence enough in myself to feel that I can discharge the duties of the position respectably

Dr Mack concured with you in the belief that I had better take the first place; and he has told me that it would be very agredable to him to have me

appointed to that position. Still I am aware that there is a heavy pressure being brought to bear on him to have Dr Heise of Will Co. appointed. But Will County having already furnished One Surgeon, or perhaps Assistant, and two Majors as also one lieutenant colonel, Cannot Complain if I should have the appointment. Iroquois Co, having furnished Six Companies for the War, and now, almost certain to have three more in the Kankakee Valley regiment, has never had a single field officer.

I know that it will be perfectly agreeable to you to appoint me,; but at the same time you doubtless dislike to thwart or cross the purposes of the Colonel. In this case it will not be thwarting the Colonel because I know that it will be agreeable to him. Yet, if to refuse to appoint Dr Heise, were to cool off some of the friends in Will the [illegible] might press me to decline the first position, though I do not know that he would do so

I shall feel grateful to you if you shall, as far as may be compatible

with your sense of duty, rather insist upon my appointment if such a contingency as I suggest should occur. The Lord knows, I would not lay a straw in the way of a prompt raising the Regiment. My appointment will not have that effect.

We have two Companies about full in this County and a fair prospect for the third. I am devoting my whole time to the work.

With Sentiments of high esteem

I am very truly yours

Franklin Blades

Franklin Blades

Middleport July 31. 62.

Encloses Certificate of his Examination by the "Med Board" Wants to be appointed a Surgeon. Dr Mack has told him it would be agreeable to have him appointed Surgeon to his Regt.

Write order to Adjt Gen - to commission him & write him have so ordered

Ansd Augt. 11th

W