N. M. Knapp to Richard Yates, enclosure

With letter addressed to Knapp 8/11/62

Winchester 12th Aug '62

Dear Gov.

You ask me what I meant by a certain remark. An old toady said in this town that I was "played out at Washington and Springfield." I supposed he had heard some one say so. I did not suppose it was you. I knew it was not true, as I never was in the game.

I did not Expect a different answer in view of recent Events. My brave boy has written me 8 letters urging a transfer, but I must write to him to bear his heart to the batteries of Richmond again, and if the young life be crushed out of it, he may be mentioned in a newspaper

I thank you for answering me in person

truly yrs

N. M. Knapp

Hon N. M. Knapp

Winchester Augt. 12

In regard to being played out. the transfer of his son.

with N. M. Knapp 8/12/62

State of Illinois

Executive Department.

Springfield Augt. 11th. 1862

Dear Knapp,

Your letters came while I was at Chicago organizing our regiments there, & have just now been seen by me. I regret very much that I had not recd them sooner, as I might have given you sufficient encouragement to raise a regt. Now I am afraid it is too late as I am only authorized to recover Cos. and regiments whose muster rolls are filed here by the 16th inst. As I have said to all others without distinction, if you can raise ten companies who recommend you for Col. I will appoint you most Cheerfully. I wish I could say more but I have been compelled to say the same thing to my oldest friends.

In regard to your son. the pressure has been

so great upon the departments for transfers to field offices that the War Depart. has been forced to refuse all at present. A dispatch before me says "that great inconvenience and injury to the service must ensue if all are granted (all applications of this Kind) some general rule will be adopted soon & made known by order of Sec'y of War." Of course I am unable to act in any case until this rule is published.

I do not know what you mean by saying that you are "played out at Springfield," as I stand ready now as I have always, to assist you in any way in my power.

copy to N. M. Knapp

Augt 11th 62

His regt. & his son.

Private