William Strawn to Richard Yates

Nashville Tenn

May 19th 1863

His excellency

Richard Yates

Gov Ills

Gov

Having seen a notice to the effect that an effort was being made to organize a colored force in Ills I hereby express a Desire to be placed in command of such force & to lead it in the field in assisting to put down this rebellion

But should such organization fail & you think well of the matter I shall receive thankfully any influence you may use, with the authorities at Washington in my behalf in another rej of the same class. The same will [illegible] good should some other man be placed in command of the Ills force

I am in receipt of a communication from the War Department at Washington City stating that an application for a colored rejiment has been submitted in my behalf by Hon Owen Lovejoy to that Department & has been placed on file for consideration Whether that application embraces any other than an Ills rej I do

not know

As to my Antecedents, qualifications &c

Your personal acquaintance I have enjoyed but to a limited extent You are acquainted with my father at Jacksonville. My Alma Mater is honored & proud to be able to call you one of her two "first graduates" As to policy eighteen annal elections have found me at the polls to deposit a vote in favor of freedom as understood by the present administration At present I am simply a Union Soldier obeying cheerfully all the commands of our ever to be honored Chief Magistrate issued to me through his subordinates in command over me & God willing will continue a union soldier to the end of my natural life & teach my children to continue the fight should the contest last so long & this without regard to what position I may continue to occupy

As to whether I have met the just expectations of my friends as a man of business, of integrity, & citizen I would respectfully refer you to Honorable B C Cook Hon William Reddick of Ottawa or any other gentlemen of Lasalle Co with whom you may be acquainted As to my Military Qualifications I have seen nine

months service most of the time in what the enemy calls his country A portion of the time on Detatched Duty of prime importance to the rej's brigade with which I have served & know myself to have given entire satisfaction to the officers & men of the whole command in the performance of whatever trust has been confided to my care whether strictly military or mixed with the business affairs of the command

Very respectfully Gov Yours &c&

William Strawn

1st Lieut Co F 104th Ills Vols

His Excellency

Gov Yates

Springfield

Ills

I most cordially endorse the foregoing letter, & cheerfully recommend him, as a faithful officer & well qualified to fill the position he seeks. If it is considered proper to take him for the Position he requests, I will submit cheerfully, but with great reluctance, as he is one of most efficient. officers.

Absalom B Moore

Col Comdg 104th Reg Ill Infty

File Col. Regts.

William Strawn

Nashville May 19 1863.

Wishes a position in some colored regt that is to be organized in Ills - if not he wishes the Governor's influence for him at Washington. Says the Governor is acquainted with his father Jacob Strawn of Jacksonville he is at present but a union soldier fighting for the union & wishes his children to do the same should the war last as to his business qualifications reffers to Hon B C Cook or any of the prominent citizens of Ottawa.

Recd Ex O. May 29 1863.