Herman S. Lewis to Richard Yates

General Hospital

Near Hampton Va

Jan 17th 1863

To The Hon Governor of the State of Illinois

Dear Sir

I Hear Take The Liberty of addressing you these few lines for which I hope you will Excuse But thinking it most time that Something Should be done In regards To my Case as I have bin in the Hospital Since The 18th Day Last June 1862 and Find no Prospect of getting any Better

I thought I would inform you of The Same I was Taken with The Cronic Rheumatism which Confined Me to my Bed for 6 weeks During which time I was takin with the Disese of the Heart and weakness in the Brest and Back which has caused

me to be unfit for Duty ever Since And Seeing No Prospects of getting Cured or getting away from Hear, as there have been Men Hear Who have bin waiting for there Discharge for five Month I Therefore would like To Have a Transfer West or a Discharge as this Climate Does not agree with me It will be Seven Months To morrow Since I entered The Hospital and as I am no use to My Government and Have a wife and Three small Children

I hope you will approve of The Above and I Remain Sir Your Most Obedient

Servant Herman S. Lewis

Co B. 39 Regt of Ills Vol

Yates, box 10, 1/16 - 23/63

Ansd Jany 27 63

Herman S Lewis

Co B 39th. Reg

General Hospital

(Near Hampton Va)

Has been confined to Hospital seven months. Wishes a transfer West, or a discharge

Disch

Write for transfer & write him that you have written