Hed qrts Merrins Miss Battery
Colonel Feb the 14th 1865
I respectfully ask your attention
in the following circumstance I have a
wife who is in feeble health and seven
little children the oldest of which is
but Eleven years of age that are wholy
dependant on my labor for a support
I have not ben at home in Twelve
months and being informed of their
destitute condition and that my
presance was absolutely necessary
to make some provision to support
them this year I respectfully ask
that I may be allowed a furlough
of 30 days to go to my home near
Senatobia in Desoto County Miss
to make provisions for them the
presant year so that I may be
able to do my duty to my
cuntry without the reflection on
my mind that my family are suf
fering for the real necessarys of life
Respectfully
H. H. Collins