Dickey was authorized by the State of Illinois to raise a company of cavalry in August 1861. This company became the nucleus of the 4th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, the recruitment of which resulted in a dispute between Colonel Dickey and Illinois Governor Richard Yates over the commissions to be granted to the officers of the regiment, a valuable tool of political patronage.
Dickey's authorization to form a cavalry company in August 1861 led to the creation of the 4th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Cavalry. This process sparked a conflict between Dickey and Governor Yates regarding the commissions granted to the regiment's officers, which was a political tool used by those in power.