Head Quarters Netter's Battalion
Hartford Ky Aug. 21/62
George D. Prentice Esq.

You have a right to expect me to do something- All my friends have- They have all been kind to me- I would not have it for the world- that they ever came to believe me unworthy of their kindness-

I, came to this place- without a man or a gun- At my arrival here the home guards- were all out- on a wild goose chase after guerrillas-

All that display was made to carry out Gen. Boyle's order to the Major- Having not over twenty men of his own- when he contrived to get his order to take the field-Maj. Shanks intendted his campaign as a recruiting expedition.

For that purpose. he swore to & before all who would listen that he was independent of anyone & that whoever joined him- might rely upon remaining all the time near ^to^ his home- as his business & men's was merely, to settle difficulties- protect the locks & dams on green river &. &.

Such things ruin the "élans" of the Vol. Service — Once deceived- the volunteers' enthusiasm is gone forever — All that imposes upon simple minded young men-

The home guards are tired even yet- of their useless trip- Were no account to take a trip with. when coming back from their excursion — Found myself paralised- Could not do anything-

If Gen. Boyle- had not been imposed upon so thickly- he would have understood long ago- the deception Practiced upon him. in the matter.

Maj. Shanks raised most of the 17th Ky- one

year ago- After serving with it as a Suttler, Q. M. commissary & Major-for three months-the rgimental election came on- His men threw [...]him out of his position of Major — He went home then — has been ^at^ home ever since —

He has now about "one hundred men in all belonging truly to his reg^t" — I state facts- so help me God —

His regiment was accepted on the 16^th inst — accepted as Cavalry — accepted as nearly full — — —

Me, I cannot get any satisfaction —

Generals Finnell& Boyle — ordered me both to raise cavalry- the last named Gen. giving me positive orders stating that fact — & signing requisitions to that effect —

Gen. Finnell tells me, in his writen instructions- that my men shall be mounted as soon as permission can be obtained from the war department- That was on July the 25^th — promising me also- that if permission was obtained for ^the raising of.^ twelve months troops- the privilege- should be extented to me- as well as to Shakelford & others —

Gen. Boyle told my Q. M. a few days ago- that I could not be received as such- that the order from the war dep^t, was imperative & universal- for the non acceptance of twelve months volunteers

As soon as I received the letter- stating, such to be the case — I told my men. that they were free again- from any obligation to me or U.S. — I had then three hundred men in camp —

After liberating them — I called upon them to remain — for the sake of their State — cause — & people — for their honor's sake — Two hundred of them remained by my side —

It was on the 14^th inst.

H. D. McHenry- (who will never forgive me — to have done with 20 men, that which his brother the Col. refused to do with 150 — )

has been at work in Frankfort- ever since his arrival & there — doing all the mischief to my interest that he possibly can — I have been changed from the 1, to the 3, years service — Mr. Mc,Hy. wrote home, to his wife a letter which promenaded the streets here- with much show- that I would be ordered away from here & that such an order was made out before he M^cHy. reached Frankfort & — — — —

I have not received any such order yet — — — — — —

Shanks is prominating and the letter of McHenry's to-day — stating that I will be changed from cavalry to infantry — or cannot be accepted — — — — — — — — — — —

My men have been changed once — They must not be changed again — Wishing me to do such a thing- would be wanting to drive me out of the service — The men I recruited are for cavalry — 100 of them armed (partly only [...] happily) & clothed as cavalrymen — Wishing to impose upon me & men in any such way would be horrible — Cannot be — Would be wrong unfair & unjust —

Shanks, who does not know how to drill a squad — with half of field officers in the same fix- waiting to enter the army untill — — — — — — (I won-t say it- but may God forgive me- think it nevertheless) had his rgt accepted- — on the 16^th inst- as cavalry — his strength then was 73 men —

I will not speak of myself — but all that would be much more aggravating yet — if it was not so very contemptible

All I ask now to go to work is — Arms. Horses — clothing.

My desires & wishes are to remain in the service — My prayer to the great Uunknown "to let me die- if die I must on the battle field" — with my face turned towards my country's foes my last breath expending itself, in a devout kiss — to my the fine blade

drawn in defence of our noble & holy cause!

My men must remain "Cavalry" — George D. Prentice — for goodness sake — for the sake of the service — do no not foresake me — My heart wishes me to stay — "quand même" but mistreatment is a terrible blow, to any one — Mr Prentice do not allow them to mistreat me —

The Governor I understand is a just man — Will you not tell him- that I am worthy of his protection — Tell him what may be expected from me — All I ask is justice —

Mr Prentice — believe me please — as I am

Truly, Your friend & serv^t
Gabriel Netter.
Lt. Col.

Gov. Robinson, My Dear Sir, I have thought it best to send Col Netter's letter to you. He is unquestionably a most devoted and enthusiastic and devoted patriot, and one of the most chivalric officers in the service.

Very Truly Yours,
Geo. D. Prentice

Colo Netter &c
letter