J. B. Boyle to Richard Yates

Clerk's Office, Battery "H" 1st Mo Lt. Artillery

Rome Ga Oct 24 1864

To His Excellency Rich Yates, Gov. of Illinois

Sir:

If your memory is No. 1, you may recollect of receiving---in 1862 & 3 occasional copies of the "Greene County Loyalist", published at Carrollton. Of that humble and somewhat obscure sheet I was Editor. Its publication for one year (in connection with the "Gospel Echo") resulted in my ruin (financially): I spent a farm in the attempt to print a "loyal" paper in Greene. Having failed, I determined to fight the enemies of my country in a way in which there is no such thing "as fail." I enlisted in Welker's famous 1st Mo. Battery, and have fought in all the battles of Sherman's great Georgia Campaign---with its hardships and sufferings. So much for my introduction.

On entering the service I left with my wife all the money I had, ($40), expecting that we would be promptly paid each muster-day, which would be sufficient for her support. Muster-days have passed and since the Co. left Benton Barracks last Feb. we have not re-

ceived a cent of pay. The little funds I left at home is spent, and now as the cold winter sets in my excellent wife is among the Copperheaded population of Greene destitute, sick, and homeless. You may imagine how this kind of thing would affect an honorable man and husband---how it would unman him in battle, that he might save his life for her whom he loves. So much for that.

Now to the point: Is there any fund or plan of relief in Illinois that will meet this case? If there is, please address Mrs. J. B. Boyle in care of James Gregory Esq, Whitehall, Greene Co, Ills. If not---dismiss the case, and let Providence solve the problem. We may not be paid before Jan 1 1865; by which time hundreds of soldier's families will suffer untold hardships.

It seems as if Government was intent on punishing both friend and foe!

I have the honor to remain, Governor

Your Obt St J. B. Boyle, private Battery "H" 1st Mo Light Artillery

Reference Harman G. Reynolds Editor "Masonic Trowel" Elder A.J. Kane Springfield, Ills

Boyle, J. B. Bat "H" 1st Mo Lt Artly Rome GA Oct 24/64

Before he entered service he "broke up" trying to run a loyal paper in Greene Co. he left all the money he had in the world ($40) with his wife when he left her. Has not been paid since he went in. His wife will suffer---Is there not some way of providing for her.

F