R. J. Cook to Richard Yates

                                  Litchfield Nov 30th 1864

Gov Yates

                                   Respected Sir

                 I hope you will excuse the liberty I have taken to trouble you with these few lines and my further excuse must be that I do not know who to apply to but you, my son George F Lincoln has been drafted and is at Camp Butler, he is intending to get a Substitute but had not succeeded when he reported at Jacksonville but supposed he could get the priviledge to return and and get me but it seems he was mistaken.  Provost M. Fry told him he could get one at Springfield, but the trouble

is this he has not got the means with him but he has a Friend here and one at Bunker hill ready to assist him to the money to get one here or at St Louis or Alton now what I want to know is if you would give him a Furlough for a few days just to attend to getting one I know I am a stranger to you but still I hope you will grant my request I would not have him act dishonorable neither would he do so he has already served one year before he is my all and I am anxious for him to get some one in his place I must close hopeing you will be able to grant this request comeing from an anxious mother for an only Son an only child

                                                            Respectfully

                                                                 R J Cook

P.S. Perhaps I am not correct in applying to you if not perhaps through your influence you could get a Furlough for him.

Cook R. J.

Litchfield, Nov. 30/64

Wants you to get a furlough for her son, who is drafted & at Camp Butler to come home to get a Substitute.