Lizzie Cox to Richard Yates

Dec th 18 / 64

Mr Richard Yates Governor of the State of illinois

Dear Sir i take my pen in hand tonight for the purpose of asking a little advice of an entire stranger but as i hope and as i know you are a true and loyal man Mr Yates i have ever tried to help my country all that laid in my power and cold to help her brave soldier and especially those who are at present unable to help their selfs i mean our poor boys in the hospitals throughout the land and i have been for some time in ohio on a visit and as i was coming home was reading an account of the sufferings of our sick and Wounded boys for the want of propper care and attentions i at once made up my mind to go and do what i could for them i have already given my husband and two noble Brothers in the cause of my country and have one more brother there still he is in company k 16 reg Ill Infantry Vollunteers but i know that i gave them in a good cause and i know to that they were proud to die as they did and although my heart bleeds when i think of them i can say gods will be done but i dont feel willing to stop working

for the good cause of our countrys Salvation and as i have no more brother to give i am willing to go myself

And now Governer Yates i am going to ask you to give me a small field in which to work give me a place in some hospital i dont care where and i will do all i can do. all that a brave but tender and loyal hart can do and should i die there i should think i was dying in the most glorious cause Woman ever died in

I draw my pension but i have a mother who in a means depend upon me for support and so i shall have to have some wages but were it not for that i would tender my services free of charge

however all i want is enough to clothe my self the rest i will do for nothing god knows i would be glad if i could do more for my country and her brave Defenders than i can but hope you will all take the will for the deed i shall look for answer from this by the last of the week and hope that you will send me word to go right along and i will gladly respond i would write more but i have a very Sore hand and hope that you will excuse my poor writing and very poor spelling

Respectfully yours Mrs. Lizzie Cob

Direct to Barry Pike Co Illinois

Write as soon as convenient

One Union Forever And Ever

Cob. Mrs Lizzie

Barry Dec 18th 64.

Wants a position of Nurse in a Hospital