Mary J. Adams to Richard Yates

Jacksonville, Aug. 30, 1862.

Mr. Joseph Bancroft.

Dear Sir,

Our recent letters from Frank speak of a great deal of sickness in Camp, where he is located; and we learn from other sources that it is a most unhealthy place, and some of the men at Helena complain bitterly of Curtis for sending them to such an unhealthy locality, when, as they say, there was no need of it. Frank has made no complaints, has only spoken of the amount of sickness.

In one letter he states that not one officer is fit for duty in the 11th Wisconsin, and only four in his, the 33rd Regiment. In his last letter, he says, "There is much sickness, and frequent deaths here, some from sun stroke, more from fever. We hear several times, almost every day, the sad sound of the three volleys, which tell of the death and burial of another soldier. A large portion of Co. K. (Frank's company) is sick, so as to be unfit for duty; two men are sick, who were never so before, during the year we have been in the service." &c.

They are at Old Town, twenty five miles below Helena. They have been sent on five expeditions since their

terrible march across Arkansas; during one of which the secured for the government over one hundred thousand dollars worth of cotton, with the loss of one man killed and three wounded. Now in view of all these circumstances, and their long distance from all their friends, I have thought it possible that Gov. Yates might be willing to send some medical man down to look after their comfort, as he did over in Missouri, and has done in other instances. My reasons for troubling you, is, to ask you to confer with Gov. Yates on the subject, (if you consider it suitable) and see if he would not commission Mr Adams to go on such an errand. I think he might do much good, and would be much happier than he is in staying home, doing nothing to help along the great interests of our country. Frank says, he is well, but of course we feel intensely anxious about him under the circumstances. If Mr Adams could go, I would see to getting up a box of delicacies for the sick &c. to send by him. I am told that there is no security in sending such things down there, except in charge of some responsible person.

Please excuse me for taking this liberty of troubling you, and do not take the trouble to reply to this, as it is not necessary. If Gov. Yates thinks proper to make any movement of the kind, he will of course communicate it to Mr Adams; if not, it is all right. I have said nothing

to my husband about this letter, but I know his intense interest in the cause, and his willingness to contribute all in his power, either of time or money, to its advancement. The Faculty of College have arranged, so that if one or more of their number can do any good, by being absent a part, or all of the term, they are at liberty to do so.

With much respect,

Your friend,

Mary J. Adams,

Mary J Adams

Jacksonville

Aug 30/62

to Mr Jos Bancroft.

Sick in our Camp hopes Govr Yates will send Mr Adams down to look after them.

Army may move soon Curtis away now if we appoint an agent soon know of no one &c.

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