Mary Middaugh to Richard Yates

Vicksburg Sept 11th 64

Dear Govener

Respected Sir

I take this opertinnity to inform you of what has transpired here with My Husband within the last few days past he was arrested on the 15th Day of June for selling a Horse he was tried by Briggad Courtmarial when he proove the Horse to be his own lawful property and he onely sold the Horse on conditions. He was accuitted but shortly after He was rearested on the same charge and tried by a Jeneral courtmarcial convicted & sentenced for a tirm of one Year in this or any Millitary Prison they see fit to place him I can truely say to You that I know My Husband to be inocent of any such crime as they made it appear that the Horse belonged to our US Government the lord knows that My Husband is two much of a man

to wrong the government out a cent and I will further state that it was onely done to cover up some treacherous acts of his officers and cowardly sneaks that dare not stand up and try to defend their own treachery. My Husband has written to you from the Prison which I wil foreward with this asking your advice or assistance on the matter. I am left here without a friend on Earth helpless and to the mercy what may follow if assistance can be granted from You I shall stay here untill doomsday or wherever he may be placed untill he gets justice or pardoned pardoned for what he neaver was guilty of

My most earnest praer is that that You may happen down here and see for Your self how some of Your Poor Boys are suffering unjust punishments. Governer if you will be so kind as to look to this matter you will very greatfuly relieve the mind of your obedient and neaver shall you be sorry for for it also you will rilease one of as good and lawyel men

as ever Abraham Lincoln put in the Field

I will close by asking Your honor to respond soon as conveneant and you will relieve the mind of Your humbel servant

Mrs. Mary Middaugh

Wife of Geo. Middaugh

To Hon. Richard Yates Gov

State of Illinois

Middaugh Mrs Mary

Vicksburg Sept 11th 1864

Says her husband was arrested on a charge of stealing a horse. That he was tried by a Brigade Courtmartial & aquitted but was again arrested on same charge & sentenced to one year in military prison that he is innocent &c. & wants him released.