Rachel Spain to Richard Yates

July the 12th AD 1865

Mr yats honered Sir

I thot I would right you a fue lins consorning my son that is in the army he is sick and sais that he hant now survis to the government I thot as being under age that I would right to you to see if thare hant som chance of gitting a discharge he rote to mee to try and git him home he said for mee to go to the state agent and he thot that he would do somthing for him i was [aeterized?] to right to you gon is my husband is in the army and my other son has gon if my son thats now sick hant 16 yet I am left with out any help I have no body to help and I am left with five little girls and I poor of and now way to getalong I thot if I could git my son home

[written across her letter] Apply. Answer her kindly.

Maby he would git [illegible] that he could help work a little if his Father and brother never gits home he will be som comfort and help to me he belongs to the 12 redgement Ills Infantry Co C. I will ask you to pleas see if you can do any thing for him I will allso ask you to plees right to mee and tell mee if you can do any thing toward gitting him a discharge

you will pleas address

Rachel Spain Ash grove

Iroquois Co. Illinois

I will give you my sons address if you want to right the [same?] you will address Miles Spain

Jeffersonvill Indiana

the Genrel hospittal ward [8?]

Spain. Rachel.

Ash Grove. Iroquois Co.

July 12.1864.

Wants a discharge for her Son Miles Spain Co "C." 12th Ills. Inf being only 16 Years of age, and Sick in Hospital. Jeffersonville. Indiana.

Her husband and another son are also in the Army. and She is in poor Circumstances. without male help ---

July 27. 64

Major Wood U.S.G. Wrote Medl. Officer in Chge Hospital, Louisvile, Nashville for discharge & informed Mrs. Spain.

Hirschbach