Quincy McNeil to S. M. Wilson

Camp Dement

Dixon June 13 1861

Hon S. M. Wilson

Dear Cousin

I only want

to trouble you a minute to say that there

is a scheme on foot to do a great injustice

to our Lt Col. B. F. Parks. I understand, (how

true I know not) that there are petitions or remonstrances

against his being commissioned by the Governor

on the ground of incompetency.

Parks is a lawyer and has never made any

pretension to military matters. He was elected by

the Regiment and in two hours took the command.

In Col Wymans abence the executive department

as well as every thing else fell upon his shoulders,

and he has done better than I expected he

would do under all the circumstances; at least

he has done as well as he can, and that

is all one can expect of an angel.

I will add that I opposed his election, but

expect to obey the will of the majority, and do not

wish any injustice done him. We have in this

camp one or two busy bodies who make it their

daily business to stir up discord, and by

an outside pressure are trying their hand in

removing Parks.

This letter is written without his

knowledge. I will show it to some of the captains

and if they concur in the statements will ask them

to sign it and you may make such use of it as

you think will tend to "conscience and justice."

Yours truly

Quincy McNeil

I concur in the above sentiment

Henry M Messinger Capt Com P

G W McCole Capt Co G

Quincy McNeil

recommending

Lt Col B. F. Parks.