19 May 1861

Sunday, 19th Showery: cool.

[from official records]
Hdgrs. Illinois Volunteer Militia, First Brigade, Camp Defiance, Cairo, Ill., May 19, 1861.
Hon. A. Lincoln, President of the United States:
SIR: I am authorized by the colonels of regiments constituting the First Brigade of Illinois Volunteers, now in service of the General Government, to tender their services with the command to you for the war or for three years. I deem it my duty to say to you that as the call has been made for more force front this State, and we having been mustered in for three months, having been uniformed and equipped, we should be pleased to hear that we are to be accepted. I therefore make the tender to you of the First Brigade of Illinois Volunteers, which I have the honor to command.
Very respectfully, B.M. Prentiss, Brigadier- General.