Rebecca Copper to Richard Yates

Pittsfield October the 10 64

Dear Sir I appeal to you as the friend of Soldiers and widows for what I cannot do my self Franklin J. Cooper my oldest Son wen in the 16th Regt Ills volenteers Came home last winter went back to the army as a vetron then my Second son volenteered and went with him and on the 4 of July in a Battle he was shot throughboth legs he was taken to Kingston Georgia he lost all his clothing and laid there two months then he was sent to Nashvill Tennesse Now he is in the Jefferson Hospital Ward No 9 Jeffersonvill Indiana he has not got his Discriptive

[Poll?] consequently he cant draw clothing they have got no pay yet, this is the reason I must call on you now they are my depend ance with an other younger Son whe was in the 100 day servis he has no bin paid yet, the wounds are nearly healed tho he cant use one leg any of account it is stiff and crooked, I want to get him sent home his name is William E Cooper and his Co K 16th Regt. Ills vet vol Infantry

Rebecca Cooper Pittsfield Pike County, Ills

I do not ask for a Dischargs only to have him sent home until he is fit for Duty Rebecca Cooper

Pittsfield Oct 24/64 Friend Hatch

At the request of Mrs Cooper. a worthy Lady. who has furnished All three of her sons to the Army. I write you this asking you to hand it to the Governor. who will, I know do all in his power to comply with the wishes of Mrs. Cooper. Her wounded son has almost entirely supported his mother since he has been in the service having sent all his pay to her excepting a small pittance for absolute necessity in camp. I believe there is an order to send home all the wounded soldiers from the different Hospitals that are unfit for duty. his is a case of this kind. he is wounded in both hips & will probably be a cripple. for life. perhaps a

word from the Governor. would ensure. his immediate. transfer to Illinois. should he recover he will go into the service again as he is there from principal Any assistance you can render her in this hour of her distress will be greatfully remembered by your friend A Barber Hon A M Hatch Springfield Ills

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