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Date
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Language
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Transcription
Military Prison Mason Georgia
June 2d 1864
His Excellency
Gov Richard Yates
Springfield Ills
Dear Sir
I am making an effort to obtain for myself a Special exchange for Major Thomas P. Branch of the C A who was captured before Drurys Bluff on the 16th Ult. I am assured that if our Govt will Send him South, the confederate authorities on their part will release me. Hoping to secure your aid & influence in this behalf, with the Sec of war & with President Lincoln I now write you. You may not, perhaps
be aware, that for thirteen months, I have been held as a prisoner of war. That I am & for a long time have & been the oldest captured Federal officer of my rank in the hands of the South, that during the past year many officers of same grade as myself have been Specially & otherwise exchanged & that all but two of them were more recently captured than myself. This is the first effort I have made in the direction of a Special exchange I have felt unwilling to urge the Govt to do for me what it seemed unwilling, or unable to do for all its officers & thus I have remained in prison while others more recently captured who presented their personal claims
to the Govt have been released. Special exchanges are constantly going forward & unless I can effect this kind of an exchange, I see no hope of saving my life. My health is already seriously impaired by long confinement & this consideration with many other induces me to make this effort. Did I feel that it was necessary for me still to remain here & even to die I would not complain. But as exchange has been conducted I can conceive of no such necessity. Trusting that you will not think me asking too much & relying much upon your efforts I remain your Servt
E.N. Bates
Major 80th Ills V
E N. Bates
Bates E N.
Major 80th Ills
Mason Ga June 2, 64,
Is making an effort to effect a special exchange, Wishes Governor to use his influence to have Major Thomas P Branch USA Sent south upon conditions that he be released,
Apply as requested Write him promptly
See return has been exchanged If P O address known send answer H