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The mother-in-law of Isaac J. Monk, a private in Co. E of the 16th Maine Infantry, wrote to Mrs. Sarah Sampson at the Maine Soldiers' Relief Agency in Washington, D.C., seeking a furlough for Monk, who was ill at a hospital in Annapolis, Maryland.

J.S. Herrick was in Annapolis with her son-in-law, but needed to return to Maine to care for her parents. She reported that her daughter had been ill and having mental problems since the illness. She feared that her daughter would become "entirely insane" if her husband, Isaac Monk, did not return home.

Herrick also wrote, "I feel almost discouraged if it were not for you & Mr. Watson I should feel all discouraged but the thoughts that you may yet accomplish the desired object helps me."

Leonard Watson was the agent for the Maine Agency Sanitary Commission office in Washington and Sarah Sampson was a volunteer nurse from Bath who worked with the affiliated soldiers' relief group. A note on the back of the letter reads, "Settled."

Monk, of Turner enlisted Aug. 14, 1862 at age 24. He was mustered out on June 5, 1865.

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