M. L. Knight to Richard Yates

Prairie City McDonough Co Ills Sept 28/64

To His Excellency Gov Yates Executive Department Springfield Illinois

I wrote you in July last Concerning William Seely a soldier of the 104 Reg Ill Infantry, in the Hospital at Nashville Tennesee,

For full particulars I again refer you to that Letter We received a communication from the Executive Department Stating that the case of Wm Seely had be refered to the Ill Sanitary agent at Nashville.

Seely writes that the Sanitary agent received a Communication

from Springfield recommending him to render assistance to Wm Seely Stating that he could gather the facts in the Case from the enclosed documents, the agent said no documents were enclosed He did not Comprehend the matter and it seems did not take any Action in the matter, Seely is sick and has been confined to the Hospital since the Battle of Stone River and the living & confinement at the Hospital is not agreeing with him & is undermining his Constitution he has been placed in the 2d Battalion of the Invalid Corps & is still retained in the Hospital He has a sick

wife an aged mother & a young Child dependant on him for support the Wages in the service are too meager to render them a subsistance. He never will be fit for active duty in the front again, he is 46 years of age & Humanity Justice & Right demand that that patriot soldier that has lost his health from wounds & exposure in the Army and on the Battle field who is pining in the Hospital & Can not sleep nights---from pains in the side & nervous debility should be at once discharged & allowed to return to his family and home a chance to recuperate, The Surgeon tells him that

a Letter from you accompaning the Surgeons Certificate to the Secy of War at Washington will effect his immediate discharge if So Let Justice in this Case be done let "Red tape" be cut and Let him be released to benefit his family & to vote to sustain the administration He has so valiently fought & bled to uphold & sustain in the field. You Gov never turn a deaf ear to the soldiers voice whether in Camp field or Hospital & surely you shall have your reward at the Hands of a Grateful people.

Yours for the Union & the Right

M L Knight

M. L. Knight.

Prairie City Sept 28/64

Asking attention in referrence to Case of Wm Seily of 104th Rgt now in Hosp at Nashville. Wants him discharged.

Ansd Oct 8th 64 and disch appd for

Porter