W. L. Hopkins to Richard Yates

         Mazon Grundy Co.  Illi

           Novr 27th 1864

To his Excellency Gov. Yates

  Dear Sir

       Pardon me for this intrusion  We have a Son Jessy N. Owen in Capt Vaugns Battery Now at Little Rock he enlisted 2 years ago last August and has never had leave of absence for one and has never failed to perform every known duty to his country or his officers

        his Mothers health is in a rapid state of decline and her physitian entertains but a faint hope that her life can be prolonged more than a few weeks at most, and nothing could give her so much pleasure as to embrace her son once more

        Now thiss is to ask you if you will be so kind as to ask that he may be furloughed home for a short time and that as soon as possible, perhaps he can to get here by the 8th 

If you will be so kind as to grant our request you will confer an inestimable favour upon his aged parents, and one which they will cherish with heart felt gratitude to the latest period of their existance

        We remain kind Sir your Most Obt & humble Servants

                                       Alex K. & Chloe Owen

My Dear Govenor _

            I know the facts above stated to be true, and I assure you that we have not a more worthy family, Nor a noble mother in our land, She desires to look upon her son once more before she goes to the better

land, which cannot be long. Do dear Govenor get a furlough for the son if you can, that he may visit his mother & receive her dying blessing.

              Yours as ever

               W. L. Hopkins

  Please write to me regarding this request, whether it can be granted -

Owen Alex. K.

Mason Nov1st 64

Wants his son_ a member of Vaughn's Baty. furloughed home to receive his Mothers dying blessing __

An'sd Nov. 2nd 64

& fur. appd for

                Porter