Jackson Grimshaw to Richard Yates

Quincy Ills. 16. Aug. 1863

Governor Yates Springfield Ills

Dear Sir Can you not get authority from Washington to raise a Negro Regt. in this state? We could raise part of it here in a short time, if we had authority & the men could be promptly mustered & then fed & clothed.

There are a great many Negroes here who dare not stay for fear of being kidnapped, We cant protect them, they would make good soldiers and would then be beyond the reach of Copperhead Malignity and would be of use to the country. They are

carrying off Negroes from here at night on [speculation?] & putting them in jail in Palmyra Mo & other places, as I am informed. Why should not these men be made soldiers of. Nearly 1/3 of Gov. Andrews Mass. Regt so called was raised here out of our refugees.

We can find excellent officers for them if you will get permission to raise them, they will be [most?] useful & less trouble than at present

Yours Respectfully

Jackson Grimshaw

Among recent dispatches is one from Stanton saying we can raise one or more negro Regts here by complying with certain orders or laws – See what the orders are & show me early as convenient.

Ansd. Sept 1 63

Grimshaw Jackson

File G Col'd troops

Quincy Aug 16th 1863.

Wishes to know if the Governor has not got an order from Washington to raise a negroe Regiment could raise part of it in a short time Says there are many negroes there who dare not stay for fear of being kidnapped. they would make good soldiers wishes the Governor to give them an order to recruit them.

Col H See Governor instructions on inside

Recd. Ex O August 19 1863