Charles Austin to Richard Yates

Meridian Miss. May 27th 1865.

Richard Yates Esq

Dear Sir

Your kind favor of the 5th inst came duly to hand on the 25th. I was agreeably surprised to find a likeness of yourself enclosed I am truly thankful for the gift and shall esteem it together with your autograph a treasure I will send with this a photograph likeness of myself also a few notes of the now "defunct Confederacy" as the latter to you may be objects of interest You asked me to let you know if I thought you could serve me in any way Believing you have especially taken an interest in my welfare I will frankly state to you my condition and desires You have been very kind to me and I,

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do not know as I should permit myself to ask more than you have already granted me My father is what is denominated a "small farmer" he was too poor well to give m more than a common school education I managed to master the common branches sufficiently to take charge of a district school which I did with success Believing duty to parents required it I remained at home until twenty one years of age when I set to work to accumulate money with a determination of procuring for myself an education In a few months thereafter the war broke out I did not immediately rush into the ranks but waited until the Bulls Run disaster when believing our government was in danger and needed my help I cheerfully took up my musket and gave up in part my long cherished plans

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I have been ambitious and as I presume you are aware have worked for positions not alone for self but because I believed I was capable of doing more and better service for my country were I to have a position of trust I had no friends of influence in the army to extend me any aid and I had not the faculty to gain friends as some have for I went forth with a determination to do right whether it was in consonance with the feelings of my superiors in rank or not That I have been an obedient and dutiful soldier I think none will deny I have I believe done my duty I am still ambitious and still determined to "make my mark" God permitting Were it not too much to ask of you I would be truly grateful could you procure me a situation of some trust that I might hold for

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two or three years or long enough to procure funds sufficient to permit me to obtain an education  Forgive me if I ask too much of you  I would not ask it but I fear if I have no aid in procuring me a situation where I can earn necessary funds my circumstances are such that necessity will compel me to forego the education I so much need  It is my sincere desire to become intelligent great and good  I hope you will pardon me for extending my letter to so great length  If you deem any portion of my letter suitable to appear in print you are at liberty to have it published  this sheet of course I would not have the public eye to see              Chas Austin.