Ellen Moroney to Richard Yates

                                                                                                     Decature June 15th / 64

Please excuse this address us not knowing it correctly

R. Yeats C & gr

                  -
                  (an?)

        Sir  I hope you will pardon Me for taking the liberty of laying this Matter before you.  I feel that such conduct as I have to Lay before you should Not pass unnotised. a train of recruits passed here this morning at four o'clock on theire way to Camp buttler  they got off at the deppot they saw that My house stood away from the publick Streets they saw they had a chance to plunder so they raised the window of My store and helped there selfs.  I was all a lone with too infant children  I was affraid to Leave My room till one of My Neighbours saw them getting out of the window and brakheing some Candy Jars after they emptyed

them wee gave the report around but all in vain. I did not want to pursue any further about it lest I might be treated as others were before Now. If they were hungary they could choose crackers of every discription to Candy or fancy bottles they took a hole chees Several papers of Candy tobacco Sundry things to long to Mention broke My store Lamp that was by the window. They got in trough My (illegible) & stell mone exceeds over twenty five dollars I hope your excellency will Notice this matter and I fel that this is not the Manner I Should be treated Last Winter When I had the protection of a brother and some of My friends friends belong to the army I have opened My doors at the Silent hour of twelve O'clock at night to Shelter Soldiers and cook from that hour on Saterday Night till Monday morning

with out the Sleep or Rest of the hour before I would see them Lay on the Streets tyronical as the yolk and Laws of england is and was this is not the conduct of her officers nor Soldiers. I saw her Soldiers when they Marched from North to Sout to Keep down rebellion her Soldiers dare Not lift there hand to pick one apple from the tree as they passed Nor a drink of water with out they asKed for it If those soldiers Knocked at My door I would let them in and give them as far as I had as I have doon before but to come like a band of thieves this cowrdley and dastardley conduct is More like that of out Laws than Soldiers that are fighting for the Nobles Cause that ever a Nation fired a gun for they will shout for copper heads this and such like conduct has Made Many a copper head as they call them they care Not for one party

More than a nother but perpetrate this dastardly conduct When oppertunity offers When a Man takes the posision of an officer he ought not Stand and witness such conduct I now trust your excellency will Not have Me and My little children suffer by their rascally conduct I well Know that such conduct as this has poisoned the Minds of Many When they Should Seek redress from more honnerable (persons?) than the Soldiers Your excellency, I trust will not pass this unnotised

                                                                       Most Respectfully
                                                                             Sir
                                                                                   Ellen Moroney
                                                                           Decature  Ills

                                                  Maroney Ellen
                                                     Decatur Ills
                                                                June 15 1864,

Her store was broke open by some soldiers- they robbed her of her Candy. broke her jars & C, Her loss cannot be less than $25 -Hopes Gov will notice this matter-

Write her something to cool down dont know what can do--