J. E. Woodward to Richard Yates

Paducah Ky. May 11th 1861

To His Excellency Gov. Yates

Dear Sir

I live in this place and have stood firm and unflinching for Lincoln and the government, for which I have been proscribed and my business much injured. My life has been threatened and me & my sons warned to leave but we don't expect to, unless Kentucky leaves the Union; in that case, who wants to stay in her? I am in the mercantile business in this town. I have one son married & farming in Massac Co. Ill. and two single ones here in Paducah. One is 21 years old & the other

nearly 19. All the property we have in the world is here. I have lived here over two years. I was raised in Burlington Co. New Jersey and lived there 35 years, and then in Philadelphia 10 years My sons were educated in the Philadelphia High School and have excellent educations.

I see that your legislature have passed a [ten?] regiment bill. I would like to get a situation for myself and sons in the regiment from the Ninth District. I am not posted in Military affairs, but would like a post to furnish supplies or something of that kind. My sons could fill the office of clerks or would shoulder the musket. I refer you to the Hon. John C. Ten Eyck and Hon.

John L. N. Stratton, the former in the U.S. Senate and the latter in the House of Representatives from New Jersey. Their Post Office is Mount Holly Burlington Co. N.J.

Please let me hear from you if anything can be done for us. By giving this a passing notice you will place under obligation,

Your most Obedient Humble Servant

J. E. Woodward

[pd. L.W.?]

I send this to Cairo to be mailed as I am not certain it would reach you if mailed here.

J. E. Woodward