John M. Mack to Richard Yates

Oct 12, 1863

Winnebago Station

Gov. Yates Sir

I find myself in a dilemma and take this method to get an explanation to it. I saw H. N. Spaulding at Rockford a getting up Teamsters for the Government for general transportation in Rosecrans division He offered me Wagon master at sixty dollars per month & 40 per month for an assistant if we could get up twenty five men & would send us transportation for the same our transportation to be for twenty five or more as I had sixteen up when he left Rockford and I thought I could get more and he agreed that if any thing was wrong that he would write me

or Telegraph as soon as he got to Nashville after waiting one week I proceeded to raise my men in good faith and had the Luck of raising 40 men and a man at Durand also went and raised a company of twenty five on the promise of me to take him on my transportation now sir It has cost me some twenty five dollars and two weeks time & disappointed a good many men as some have sold their teams one has sold out his furniture & sent his wife East & I was offered a situation at more a month as agent but refused it as I think our Government should have men when they call for them Now I do not know where to write to Spaulding nor neither

do I know who to write to in the department But knowing that you are a friend to the cause of the Union & I have done what I could for it sent my two sons one in the 15 Ill Vol and one in the 2 Ill Cav who now is escort for Gen Ord now am willing to take any position that I think i can fill and thinking you willing to assist please Give me your advice as soon as convenient I may refer you to John P Renolds as he is the only man there that I know Yours in haste

Direct to Winnebago Station

Winnebago Co Ill

John M Mack

Ansd Oct 23 - 63.

File M

Mack Jno.

Winebago Station

Winebago Co Ills Oct 12th

H. N. Spaulding offered him a position as wagon-master at $60 per month but "went back on him." Give him an appointment.

Executive Office Oct 14 1863.