Oscar L. Ekrall to Richard Yates

[illegible] Battery G. 2d. Ills.Art. Eastport Mississippi January 24th. 1865

Honorable sir Knowing the interest you always have taken in the welfare of the Union Soldiers, and especially them from Illinois. I take the liberty of writing this letter, hoping that you will not be offended And that I may not ask your assistance in vain As I well know that only one word from you, will set me alright, without any loss to the governement Please have patience enough to read the following I enlisted in the same Battery G. 2d. Ills Art. the 6th of august 1861 And reenlisted in the same Battery about new years 1864. And during the whole time of my service to the present time have always done my duty And been along with the battery in every engage ment and Campaign it has gone through since it first was organized. But of late my health has been very poor. so the long marches and hardships we

Now have to go through comes very hard upon me. And as I do not want to report myself sick or unfit for duty. I suffer a great deal. Others under the same circumstances or for less cause would either go to some Hospital or be transferred to the invalid Corps but as I do not wish to do either, I would humbly ask your honor to have me transferred to some Seagoing man of war. For I think that if i got on salt water again I would regain my usual strenght which I had before I come in the army, and of which I now for a long time have feeled the loss of. I am a native of Sweeden and have been for a long time on the Sea before. So I am not ignorant of the work to be done there. Honorable sir please do me this favor and receive the thanks of a private that now have nearly served the country 4 years and have 2 more to serve. I should not have written this letter But as a last resource to recover my lost healthAnd as we all know you honors kindness to the Soldiers I hope my prayer may not pass unnoticed, as my all depends upon your kind- ness

Please send an answer as soon as possible as we very seldom stay long in one place. And forgive me for wrting this letter. And oblige your humble Servant Oscar L. Ekvall. Please direct as follows, Oscar L. Ekvall Battery G. 2d Ills artillery 3d. brigade 2d division General A.[illegible]. Smiths Command Eastport Mississippi via Cairo To his excellency Governor R. Yates Springfield Illinois

Ekvall Oscar, L Bat. G. 2d Ill Artly Eastport Miss, Jan'y24/65 Has been in the service nearly 4 years, and has two more to serve and from hard marches, exposure &c has lost his health Does not want to get a discharge, nor to go into the Invalid Corps or Hospital. but would like to get transfered to a Man of War Vessel if you can aid him to do so.