R. Blackwell and others to Richard Yates

Jan 3 '65

Your Petitioners respectfully represent That they are informed that George Nichols a Prisoner of War at Rock Island Ills was conscripted in the Rebel Army about the year 1862 in Smith County Tennessee, That during the summer of the year 1863, the said George Nichols was taken prisoner by the forces of the United States Army and has been held since that time as a Prisoner of war. That the said Prisoner belonged to Regt. Tenn, Vol. That the said Prisoner is desirous of being released from his confinement and becoming a citizen of Illinois, That he was drafted into the rebel Army against his will and is loyal to the Government of the United States, and if released will support the same and the laws thereof, That they desire this information from the [relations?] of the said George Nichols and especially from William Nichols an uncle of said Prisoner, who has long been a resident of the State of Illinois, who is loyal to the Government of the United States and in favor of the measures of the administion

for the suppression of the rebellion, That from their information they believe that said Prisoner is sincere in his opposition to the Rebel authorities and in his profession of Union sentiments & that no injustice would be done in granting his release from imprisonment.

Vandalia Ills

Jan 20 1864

R.Blackwell

[illegible] Remam

Y.S. McCord

Ebenezer Cupps

C.W. Higinbotom

Geo R. Fitch

[illegible] Van Dorston

State of Illinois

Fayette County SS

I. John A. McCord Notary Public and Postmaster in and for the town of Vandalia, in said county and state, do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the men who have signed the forgoing petition, that they reside in said town of Vandalia, that their signatures thereto are genuine and that they are firm supporters of the

[Written vertically along left margin:] Blackwell, R. and others, Vandalia, Ills

present administration.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and official seal this 3d day of January A.D. 1865

Notary Public and Postmaster