Washington D C. April 18th
To his Ex the Presedent
I am as you will see a member of Company B 12th
Iowa Inf-- that reg-- was mustered in Oct 1861 it was
engaged at Fort Henry Donelson Shiloh the latter
place we was taken prisoners, retained some two month
by the rebels then paroled. sent through the lines to
Nashville Ten-- kept there one month then sent to
Benton Barracks St Louis Mo-- the latter place they
attemped make us do duty which we considered a
vioalation of our Oath which said that we was not to
do any duty either directly or indirectly camp
garrison constabulary untill exchanged many of us
left went home I suppose most of them went back I did
not I went to Leavenworth Kansas after being home
about two month. While there I saw an order in the
papers that all Iowa troops that was paroled was
exchanged including those Benton Barracks and that
many of them tired of the ennui of camp life had
left. All would be furnished with transportation from
whare they happen to be I wrote to a privat of
Company B. telling him to show it to the Capt if
there. I waited some three weeks got no answer then
went to Denver City Colarado Territory have been
there ever since up to the 26th day of Feb-- Left for
the states. stayed in Nebraska a short time. then
came directly here. on purpose to deliver myself up
for a deserter. I never intended to stay away from
the reg-- but force of curcumstance some time
controle a man when he intends to do differently I
left and I also return unknown to my friend they
probaly think I am dead not having heard since I left
I do this without aid or advise from any one with the
exception of Mr Allison(1) representive
from the third district of Iowa he organized the
reg-- when I left there was some two month due me
besides some for clothing which I do not ask willing
to lose it all with what I spent and board in
endevoring to see you I do not wish to avaid the
service for I could have for I could have stayed
there and if drafted I could have paid the exeption
for I have paid that much in coming here I devised to
see you for I can express myself better that than on
paper
All I ask is to return to the reg-- after having a
few day to see my friends. I would have went strait
back to it if it had not been for that for I am very
anxious to see my parents if I had whent home before
going to the reg I probaly have been arrested that
would have hurt my parent especialy my mother I have
refrained from letting them know where I was so that
when their friend inquired about me they could not
tell for they did not know
the responsibility is all on me if I was in the
same palce again I would diferently. my parents live
in Postville Allamakee Iowa I wish to go there for a
few day then I will find my reg--
I saw an account that they had reenlisted I would
like transport home for the reason that I have spent
nearly all of my money in coming here take it out of
my wages that is to come what is back I do not ask I
do not soldier for money no boy in the united States
think of his country then I do I will not complain of
my officers there never was a better than capt earl
of Co B. but I did think it hard after being in the
rebel prison that we could not go home and wait
untill exchanged our officers was then back in prison
that and other thing caused me to leave but I have
said enough I will abide by your decision(2)
Your humble Servant
C G. Russell
