Mary H. Wadham to Richard Yates

Jacksonville. Oct. 24 / 64

Monday Morn

Hon R Yates.

Dear Sir

Will you pardon me for my presumption in addressing you? My apology is I write in behalf of my husband Mr Wadhams who is now at Camp Butler. We came from Nebraska hoping he would be able to get into business here but failing to do so, he became discouraged & has gone as a substitute for some drafted man. I have heard of you dear Sir in our far away Nebraska home as being a friend not only to our Country but of the Soldiers who sacrifice so much for their country.

taking advantage of this I have presumed to write you. O, Sir, can you give him some position so that he may not have to go into actual service, he is a good scholar & understands Book keeping has a good knowledge of mathematics generally & is a true union loving man; was a Whig before this Rebellion broke out is now a union man. Copperheads call him an abolitionist. If you will believe a wife (& who should know her husband better) he is worthy of even Gov. Yates confidence, Will you listen to the entreaties of a wife & give him some position that will be easier than going in front, for I know he can never stand so much exposure. W have two little boys & they plead for their papa. I have sacrificed my two only brothers in this Rebellion, one is now in the blind Asylum totally blind from exposure in the Army. the other cannot live long I fear for the same reason. O, Sir listen to the entreaties of a wife & grant my petition & I will bless you

always. If you require refferences you may address Elias Metcalf who is my uncle. His Father has lived near Waverly for many years & my husband is his only son. My husbands name is Philip R. Wadhams. Excuse this letter if it is not writen in the most approved style, as I am unaccostomed to writing to great men. Begging your pardon for troubling you this long. I will close by begging you to give his some attention.

Your humble Servant,

Mary A. Wadhams

P.S. If you wish to address me, my post office address is Jacksonville Ill. M

P.S. No 2. I forgot to add that my husband knows nothing of my writing to you I said nothing to him or other friends about it for fear they would discourage me. M

Mary A. Wadhams.

Jacksonville Ill Oct. 24/64

They used to reside in Nebraska, but removed to this State expecting to go into business Her husband failed and becoming discouraged went as a substitute & is now at Camp Butler. She wants Govr to give him a position where he will not have to go to front.

Ansd Oct 26 64 Snyder ADC