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Head Quarters, District of Eastern Arkansas,
Helena, Arkansas, February 4th, 1865.

Maj. Gen'l E. R.S. Canby,
Comdg. Mil. Div. of West Miss.:

Dear Sir-
The bearer of this letter, the Rev. E W. Laskin, was engaged in teaching and preaching in the South Eastern part of the State of Mississippi when the war broke out, and, having no pecuniary means to take him North, was compelled to remain pursuing his occupation to earn daily bread for himself and family. He wrote me a year ago from Gainsville, Miss., which is not far North of New Orleans, informing me of his situation. He is a native of New York, a graduate of Union College, and has been settled as a Presbyterian Minister in the city of Rock Island, Illinois, which is my home, and where I knew him intimately and respected him and his wife highly.
I have just received his letter of the 10th ult., in which he expresses his urgent desire to come within our lines; but being without funds, must find employment.
Should he present you this letter I solicit for him some employment suited to his capacity and