Mary E. Waus to Richard Yates

Chatham Nov 20th/64

To His Excelency

Gov Yates

Dear Sir

Knowing that you are the soldier's true friend; it is in ones behalf that I appeal to you. Hoping through your goodness he may attain his discharge He has been sick now over six months and gets worse instead of better. His sickness was contracted while on the Red River expidition last Spring. While in the engagement on the Saline bottom he received and injury inwardly that he will never wholely recover from and Then the hardships and exsposure they underwent will I fear kill him if he does not soon get help. And I ask you in the name of our Heavenly Father to grant me this one request as far Dear Sir as it lays in your Excelencies power; One short year ago he was as strong and hearty and noble a soldier as one would wish to see but now

He is a wreck he has so many diceases about him that it is a hard matter for the physicians to help him for as soon as one is better another is worse and so it bafles thier skill His liver is affected and he has the Rheumatize and the Chronic Diaheara in its wost form he has a cough which will soon kill him alone if not soon helped now is this not enough to kill one good soldier Me thinks I hear you say it is

And now I appeal to you knowing your goodness to our loved Illinois boys

He was in the Gen Hospital in Little Rock from the 20th May until the 6th of Sep when he was removed to Camp Butler to the Gen Hospital there and now he is transferred to the U.S. Hospital in Quincy Ills

They have given him some encouragement of a discharge but I fear they will delay it to long and Dear Sir if he is taken it will be my onely support and it will leave five little ones Fatherless, But if he was in good

health and fit for duty I would give him up more willingly on the battle field if he was killed than I can to see him pine away almost before my eyes and still not where I can smoothe the sick bed or bath his aching brow Which might serve to help restore his health again in time But it is useless for me to say more for I trust you will do me this great favor as it is for a soldier and I know you love them as well as me

Hoping you will favor me with an answer soon I remain your

Humble Servant

Mrs. Wales

Please Address

Mrs Mary E Wales

Chatham

Ills

My Husbands name is Wm H Wales

Battn A 3rd Ill Art

Wales Mary E

Chatham Nov 20/64

Wants her husband discharged. name - W.H. Wales Bat. "A" 3d Ill Light Artillery in Hospital at Quincy Is very sick & will die if not discharged & properly cared for soon

Ansd & app made

Dec 3d 1864

Porter