Mrs. Ann Warden to Richard Yates

Downers Grove Ill Oct 7th

To the Govr of Ills

Honored Sir

I take the liberty of addressing a few lines too you hoping you will pardon the liberty that I take in intruding myself upon your Notice. The papers are full of speeches and appeals to the people, but I have not read a single line appealing too the Irish voters. Now Sir I ask you if it would not be worth while to try too bring them over too the good cause. I am an Irish Woman and the widow of an American and also the mother of his Seven Sons. Six of which Serve in the Union Army one in the 3rd Ill Cav, one in the 19th Ill on in the 20th Ill two in the 55th Ill one in the 106th Ill the Seventh a Boy of fifteen years remains at home with me, but I don't know for how long

two of his brothers has been home on furlough. they both belong to Shermans 15th A.C. one was wounded on the 28th of July and has gone back to his Regt. the other was wounded Augt 3rd and was not as fortunate as his Brother. he has been severely wounded and is now in the Genl Hospital at Chicago owing the hardships he has suffered coming home his wound was worse then when he left the front. I would not trouble you by addressing you if the Soldiers had been paid. believe me Sir that I have never availed myself of the provision made for mothers of Soldiers I dont belong to that class that suffer themselves too be placed upon the paupers list for sake of getting a little money Any Boy thinks it is his duty to go as we all fear his Brother will not be able to take part in the battles that are to be fought before Sherman brings his Army

by way of the Atlantic

You cannot wonder then that my heart and Soul is in the Cause. where all that I have and all that loves me are battling in the Union Cause. being a Woman I am not at liberty to take up a musket and follow the loved ones to the field. But without the least vanity I believe I can be of benefit in the coming Struggle. that is as far as my county men are concerned I believe if I could travel and address my County men. I could prove to them that it would be to their benefit as well as to their Honor to vote for Mr Lincoln you know better than I whether you will Succeed without the Irish votes. or a part of them I will assure your Sir, that a greater part of the Irishmen have the capacity of appreciating the many priveliges they enjoy in America which is denied them in their own land. All I ask

the recompense I ask is a pass over the roads. You may think this request is absurd "and asks can anything good come out of Nazereth" I must answer as "Franklin did" when he was called upon to [compose?] he wrote "come and see" I have waited to this late day before I could dare to address you.

Pardon me if you are not the proper person to address. I send this by hand you can return it to my messenger which will wait for the answer if you do not see fit to grant my request. if You do grant it this is my address Mistress Ann Warden, Lemonte, Cook Co. Ills Direct care of Mr George Hall esqr Notary Public

Mrs Ann Warden Lemonte, Cook Co Ill Oct 7th 1864

Care of George Hall Esqr.

She is an Irish woman wife of an American & mother of Seven sons--Six of whom are in the Union Army--She has seen a great deal in the papers Encouraging the people to vote for the maintenance of the Union & Laws at the approaching Election. but has not seen a word appealing to the Irish voters. She proposes to canvass the State & obtain--as she is sure she can--a large number of vote from her countrymen and want Govr. to furnish her passes over the Rail Roads.