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Mason  Effingham County Illinois

July 17th 1865

Major General O.O. Howard,

Sir, I was enlisted in Co. H. 1st Regiment, Alabama Cavalry, on the 23rd day of September 1863, and was discharged on 29th day of September 1864 having enlisted for one year. I was under Col Spencer, and was attached all the to the 16th Corps. I had to leave family and all, or join the Confederate army. I have lost all my family by death while I was in the service, I was compeled to abandon my property lands and all I have lost all my title papers all my personal property was destroyed or went to waste. I do not expect to return there to live. I am unable to go even to see how my matters are, and seeing that you was commissioner of Freedmen, & Refugees, I write to you for information and such assistance as is proper for me to have, hopeing this will receive your attention, I am 

Very Respectfully Yours Elijah J. Swindle