Galena Ill. Jan 31/64

 

Col. Smith

                       

Respected Friend

With a trembling hand and an aching heart I take up my pen to ask of you as a friend and an old acquaintance a favor in behalf of my son which is his discharge. It is a humiliating task which I fain would reject, did not utter necessity compel me to act. I am aware of the fact that there are others whose sufferings have been increased by the terrible realities of war, but they or most of them have had a kind father, uncle or some person on whom they can depend; but I have no one

 

            My son enlisted nearly eighteen months ago against my wishes. He being only sixteen years of age I thought him not old enough to bear so great / a burden, and his constitution naturally being not very strong, I also thought that he would be able to bear the hardships through which he would have to pass, and in this I have not been mistaken for he has failed to do the duty assigned to him (which was fifing) on account of health; then again his father having enlisted, he was my only dependence. Their bounty money that should have been mine for the use of my family had to go through misfortune for other purposes neither of them having received their pay from the government for six months. I was obliged to sell every thing that I could possibly get along without even my sow this proved but a small pittance to furnish the most stringent necessities and this for a short time only. I receive one dollar from per week that is made up by the citizens for the support of soldiers wives, and what is that for a family of six. I have five children and not any old enough to take care of / them selves, four girls and one small boy we have had our own wood to saw and split. There has been a great deal of sickness in the family, part of it caused by splitting wood and partly through other things some of them have been sick good share of the time. I have had to get trusted for the most necessary articles and credit even to a soldiers wife does not seem to meet the full approbation of many of the merchant men that know not of the many privations that war widows are subject to. I have lived in hopes that Mr Perry might through ill health get his discharge but he has got able to be nurse at the hospital so there is no hopes of that. Now Colonel Smith I have told you so that you can have but a partial idea of the privations through which I under go. I ask this favor of you not knowing to whom else to go. thinking you might direct and give me a help / ing hand and through your influence I might be relieved if it is necessary I can get any of the leading men of this place to testify to the above. Give my regards to Mrs Smith and tell her I sympathize with her in her many troubles through which she has passed. if you will grant me this favor by doing all in your power and bring things to speedy term you will receive the everlasting gratitude of a sacrificing and agonized mother.

                                                                                               

Yours Truely,

Manerva E. Perry.

 

P.S. My sons name and address is

William M. Perry. Co I. 96 Regt Ill

Volunteers. May I entreat of you to answer this immediately on receiving it to let me know what prospect there is. Direct to Galena Ill                                    M.E.P.

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