William Rusk to Richard Yates

February the 16th 1863

Governor yates dear sir I take this opertunity in informing you that i am a private in the 101st regiment Ills voll that was taken prisoner at holly springs on the 20 of Dec and paroled that same day I was sworn into the service on the second day of august 1863 and went in to camp at camp duncan the elventh day of august I took the chills an feavor about the 20th and was verry sick for some weeks and the diarreha attacted me up uppon etering the camp and has not ceased yet but has become a chronic disease so I have not been able for duty undley about three weeks since the twentieth of august last mi presant feelings tell me that

if i go in to the army again i no that i will suffer i have tried it about five months and mi age and experianc tells i am not able to stand the hard ships of camp life i am forty seven yers old and i find that mi constiution is broken in this case dezire over rooled my best Judgement I wish a discharge and i send you these few lines asking for instructions about how i am to get it the time is close by for us to be orderd back and i want the dezired information if you please against next saturday by letter direct to sinclair morgan Co Ills

an old friend

William Rusk

a brother of James Rusk

Ans March 6, 63

William Rusk.

101st Reg. Feb 16th/63

Asks the Gov if he will not give him a discharge He is now at home in Sinclair Morgan Co. and is not well enough for duty - has not done duty for six months.

Write &c