R. A. Crites to Richard Yates

Corinth Miss

Jan. 6th 1863

Gov. Yates. Sir,

I take the present opertynity to inform you of the present condition of my self and famley. I left a Wife and 7 children and enlisted to fight for my country. there was plenty of men ready to see that the famleys of soldiers did not suffer. as soon as I was sworn in the service, also many others, no man new any thing about the famleys at all. it is now six months since we received any pay - evry leter I receive from my wife she complaines of her necscesitys.

I have served ever since the 25th of July 1861. I have been in every batle that the 7th reg has been into, amounting to severl

I have never been to the hospitle yet, alltho my constitution is considerablely impaired.

under the present circumstances and condition of my famley I most humbly and earnestly ask you to release me from the servise so I can take care of my famley, as I understand you to bee the man to aply to, and the man that has the power to dispose of the Ills. troops. as this war is intended to bee a prolonged speculative war, I think men of famleys should be sent home to doo for there famleys, and those men that has been speculating off of the goverment put in the ranks for the next 17 months, and see how they would like war then. I have never seen my famley since I enlisted. my wife was sick for three months

or more and confined to her bed a good part of the time. and I could not get home to see her, and [sick?] yet. you may gess how a man feels that has been away from his famely 17 months nowing that his famely is in a suffering condition, and can not get his little pittaful Sum of 13 dollars per month to send to them.

I could sight you to a great deal of intreag in this army. for instance company B of the 7th reg, there is 1 man has not done any duty since the evacuation of corinth 2 for 4 months 2 for 3 mo and cannot get a discharg. they get a set of papers made out evry month, but all prevailes nothing. the company musters 50 men for pay and 21 is all for duty that there is the rest is on detatched duty and at the hospitle.

Since Fort Donalson batle 350 men is all can be raised for duty at Pitsburgh battle and at corinth about the same.

I received a leter from my famely to day and my wife says she has not been able to get any winter clothes or shoes for the famely.

I would like you to answer this leter if you please.

yours respectfully

R. A. Crites

Co B. 7

Co. B. 7th Regt.

R. A. Crites

Corinth Miss. Jan. 6th 1863

Says his family is in a suffering condition - that he has received no pay for six months, and prays that he may be discharged. Trusts that his letter will be answered.