Emas Lewis to Richard Yates

                                   Chicago Dec 1 1864.

Governor Yates

                     Sir I presume you will be surprised at any presumpsion in adessing You but I have a favor to ask of you whitch I hope you will be kind enough to grant all the friends I have in the world. is in the army fiting for this glorious Union my Dear father Served 3 years and my Uncle 3 years and has renlsted and since my fathers discharge he has gon to the land of rest and I am left all a lone only one Brother and he is at Nashville Tenn he has Served 1 year in the Navy and 2 years in the Chicago Board Trade Battery and I want to ask you to be kind Enough to grant my Brother a furlough of 20 days for since

my fathers Death I need his presence in Chicago verry much to see a bout settling some business of importance witch I cant do verry well without him I was intending to speak to you a bout it when you was hear but you stayed such a Short time that it was imposable as I have to work untill late at night - my brother has tride to get a furlow but canot and now pleas grant my request and give him one he has got 1 year more to serve now pleas let him come for now is a good time as thay are at Nashville and probley will be thare for 3 or 4 months and pre hapes after they leve thare I may never see him for Shirman may call them a way aney time thare is a good many of the

Battery Boys having furlows and I think he had aught to have one after Serving 3 years for he is a brave and Noble Boy and I Should be willing to let him go 3 years longer if our contery needes him now I ask you once more do pleas be kind Enough to let him come on 20 days far we may never see one nother again and receve a Orphans blessing my Brothers name is Alexander Lewis of Chicago Board trade Battery and I know you are good and kind and I Shal live in hopes to of seeing my Dear Brother soon so no more at present now dont say no and oblige Miss Emma Lewis to the Gov of our noble state Remember

Alexander / Chicago Lewis

now pleas let him come home for it is in your power.

Excuse this poor writing

Lewis Miss Emma

Chicago Dec 1/64

Wants her brother furloughed.

"Disposed of"

An'd Dec 3'd & furlough App'd for -

                                          Porter