J. B. Turner to Richard Yates

Jacksonville April 20 1861

To his Excellency Gov Yates Dear Sir, you know our old friend and neighbor Mr Eno, You know how he became reduced by his unfortunate speculation in wheat: He was in some prospect of righting his misfortunes by the manufacture of Agl tools as I had hoped: but the peculiar exigency of the times has compelled him to defer that enterprise for a time and thus thrown his two Sons Edward and Henry out of employ and brought the family into a condition of almost entire destitution, for the present. Now I had thought that you could probably give them some agency, or clerkship, or employment in providing for the present necessities of the public service;

They could not properly enlist as soldiers, as it would take them from the family, who are dependant daily on their aid:

If you could secure for them some such service, either in connexion with the army or otherwise, I believe the boys would be faithful and prompt in the discharge of their duty and you would confer a great favor on a needy & worthy family, as well

as on myself: for I feel a deep interest in their present condition: as their necessities are urgent, and they must engage at once in something for the support of their family, if possible. will you not drop me a line on receipt of this and let me know whether there is any prospect that you can secure them any such position, or to whom they should apply, in order to secure it, if not within your power to grant:

Yours Truly J.B. Turner

P.S. Since writing the above I learn that Edward Eno has enlisted in the army; He is a good penman & Engineer and something of a Drafts man: could keep accounts or do any sort of business correctly & will make a good soldier but would better fill some more responsible post in harmony with his superior practical and theoretical education: can you secure him such a post? as above JBT

J.B. Turner

Recommending Eno

Ansd