John Clark to Richard Yates

Pecatonica Aug 29th, 1864

Governer Yates

Dear Sir

I take this opportunity to address a few lines to you espeacely to assertain the Laws and regulation in regard to Disceased Soldiers Property why I address you thus is because I had a Brother Isaac. B. Clark in Co. M. 74 Illinois Inft and who was Severely Wounded at the Charge of Kenesaw Mountain in the right Shoulder after being wounded he with Some others ware Sent back to Chatanooga General Field Hospital ward N ward master E. J. Lewis after his arival at the Hospital he had his right Arm amputated at the Shoulder joint but as might be expected Died in a short time after his Death

we received a letter from the said E.J. Lewis stating my Brother was Dead and Said he had no money or Clothing but he had a Watch and asked what he should do with it I Sent word right back for him to Send the watch by mail or Express as he thought best and we would pay all charges he wrote back to me that he turned the Watch over to the Surgeon and it was Sold now I wish to know what business they had to Sel his Watch we would rather have the watch then to have one Hundred Dollars if thare is any Such Law it is a very wrong thing it is hard for Parents to have Sons Die in the Army without Seeing or Speaking to them then cannot have even a watch which would be more to them then money as a

keepsake from Loved ones who have bled and Died in thair Countrys Cause Governer I know you are the Soldiers Friend and if this thing is not right you will see what you can do about it my Father and Mother feel very bad about it and this is why I Write to you that the watch may be procured for them you know it is not the worth of it but they feel as though they ought to have it as it was all he had and we all think thare has ben Some Fraud practiced I hope you will Write to me and let me know about it as soon as posable I know you must be prest with business at this time but you must forgive me the intrusion

While I remain yours truly

John Clark

Please Direct as follows

John Clark

Pecatonica

Illinois

Clark John

Pecatonica. Aug 29/64

Says that his Brother died in Hospital & that when he died he had a watch in his possession. which the Surg. sold, he wants to know if the watch can be procured as they value it highly

Ansd Sept 2nd 1864

P