Jacob H. Holt to Richard Yates

With A. H. Holt letter 8/25/62

Monmouth Illinois

August 25th, 1862

To, His Excellency

Richard Yates

Governor of Illinois,

Dear Sir,

I have thought it probable that you would cause the entire Militia of this State to be organised preparatory to making a Draft, defending our homes & firesides, collecting the Revenue & enforcing the laws; I have had some experience in Military Matters having been employed in the Quarter Master's & Commissary's Departments at West Point N.Y. many years of my early manhood; I am now past fifty years of age & therefore not subject to be drafted, but I felt myself fully competent to drill or command a Regiment a Brigade or a Division. I some days since enclosed a copy of a letter from Gov Washington Hunt addressed to the Secretary of War in my behalf to my son, requesting that you would peruse the same if Col Holt should have left Springfield.

I should like to do something to aid in putting down this wicked rebellion and at the same time provide something for my six little daughters whose mother is dead.

I have the honor to be

Yours respectfully

Jacob H. Holt