Anna O'Hara to Richard Yates

DeKalb Illinois Aug 3d 1864

Hon Richard Yates Gov,

I write you for the purpose of acertaning whether you can devise Some means to purchase me a little place that I may live in My Husband a private of Co G 58 Ill. Voll was Killed at the battle of Shiloh and left me without anything to live on or do with Six children all girls but the youngest Who is five years old in Oct next and at the present prices for provisions it is impossible for me to pay rent, and live I draw a pension at Eight dollars per month, but it will not buy my groceries and firewood I am 42 years old and in very feble health and cannot do anything toards getting a living If there can be any way that you can devise to get me a home it will be thankfully Received and appreciative with $300. I could obtain one that I could live in

Yours &c

Anna O'Hara.

Anna O'Hara

DeKalb Aug 3 1864

Wants Gov. to devise some means by which she will be able to buy herself a home

Husband died in Army pension not sufficient to support the family

That's reasonable