Sarah E. Hopper to Richard Yates

Alton Ill April the 21 1863

Mr Govener Yates

Dear Sir

It is with avery sad and heavy heart that I make this bold attempt to wright to you on business my husband went to war a year a go last november and I cannot har from him any more I am almost distressed to death about him he left me with two little children and we haft to suffer for some thing to eat and Ware a since he dose not send me any money he has not sent me much the last letter that he sent to me he sent ten dollars in it

and that was one year ago to day and I have suffered every thing onley death There has been amany of a day this winter that I have had to go away from my little ones and wash all day with out a bite to eat all day to get some thing for them to eat and I think that it is to bad that I cant draw some thing from the goverment I may be asking to much but if I am I hope that you Will wright to me and tell me what is the reason that I cannot draw mony as well as other women that their husbands is in the armey there are women here that get 8 dollars a month

and they do not do any thing at all and I haft to work like aslave and cannot make aliving then and if you can help me any please do it Times is so hard and ever thing so very dear or would never ask for help al though I think that I have as much rite to some thing as any of them has my name is Sarah E hopper Wife of George A hopper he joined the 51 regiment Illinois vol Company B now Mr Yates if you can do any thing for me please do it for god nose that I need it if any poore sole ever did kneed any thing on this earth please write and let me know what you can do

When you wright to me Direct to Mrs Sarah E hopper Alton Ill Wright soon

Sarah E hopper

To Mr Ritchard Yates

Ans April 24 63

Mrs Mary E Hopper

Alton April 21 1863.

Says her husband volunteered in the 31st Regt - she has not heard from him for a year-says her family are almost starving and wishes to know if the Governor cannot help her get some pay that must be due her husband.

Express regret at inability of Governor to [assist?] her

Recd Ex O April 23rd 1863