Julia R. Emery to Richard Yates

Quincy Ill. April 17. 1864.

Mrs Yates.

Dar Madam;

Presuming on the slight accuaintance formed so pleasuribly with you last winter at Mr. Brownings, I write in behalf of a soldiers wife who is now waiting here with the hopes of her husbands discharge from the hospital here & his permission to accompany her home. His name is Silas Jackson. He enlisted in Morgan Co. in the 101st Reg. Co K. He was taken sick in Vicksburg and afterward sent to the Hospital in Columbus, while there the nurse wrote to his wife & informed her of his severe illness & the desirableness of her coming to see him.

She had a horse, a cow & several hogs, part of which she sold to obtain the means to go to her husband.  The neighbors took her children & cared for them in her absence.  She stayed with her husband till he was able to be moved, when he obtained a furlough & spent three months at home.  He was then ordered to Quincy & has been here six months in the Hospital  Owing to some trouble about getting his descriptive role.  I think it is eleven months since he has received one dollar from Gov.  Meanwhile his family have suffered &, his wife says, must have starved but for the neighbors.

A month ago, or more, his wife received a letter saying he was very sick--probably could not get better & was very desirous to see

her.  Again the friends, she has no relatives, took the four children--tho it was cold, she sold even her shawl & came here in a most destitute condition.  By her careful nursing & care, he has so far improved  that she thinks he is able to go home.  She must leave in the course of a few days, as she is near confinement.  His disease is of the heart & liver.  Physicians say he can never return to the army, but still there seems no readiness, to grant his discharge.  I promised her that I would write to you & see if Gov. Yates could do any thing to accomplish his discharge.  Their circumstances are certainly pitiable.  Friends have done what they could to clothe her & have collected some things for her children, while she takes care of her husband she sews, to get, if

possible the five dollars she borrowed when she left home.

I write to you instead of Gov. Yates, as I could better tell you the circumstances of the case Should he do any thing for them I should rather my name would not be mentioned, as this Hospital men are quite averse to any interference. Please present my husbands regards to your husband and my own also & believe me Madam with sentiments of sincere respect & regard,

Yours Truly

Julia R. Emery.

Should you answer this letter, please direct care Rev. L.H. Emery

Julia R Emery

Quincy April 17 1864.

Writes on behalf of a Soldiers wife who is now waiting her husbands discharge--wishes the Gov to use his influence to secure same--His name is Silas Jackson Co K 101 Regt

Col L prepare answer