Taylors Barrecks [Louisville, Ky.] December 4th 1864
Mr Abrham Lincoln I have one recest to make to you that is I ask you to dis Charge me for I have a wife and she has four Children thay have a hard master one that loves the South hangs with it he dos not giv them a rage nor havnot for too yars I have foundl all he says let old Abe Giv them Close if I had them I raise them up but I am here and if you will free me and hir and heir Children with me I Can take Cair of them
She lives with David Sparks in Oldham Co Ky
My Woman is named Malindia Jann my daughter Adline Clyte and Malindia Eler and Cleman Tine and Natthanel Washington and my name is George Washington heir in Taylors Barrecks and my famaly suferring I have sent forty dollars worth to them cence I have bin heir and that is all I have and I have not drawn any thing cence I have bin heir I am forty eight years my woman thirty three I ask this to your oner to a blige yours &c your un Grateful Servent
George Washington
George Washington to Mr. Abrham Lincoln, 4 Dec. 1864, W-953 1864, Letters Received, series 360, Colored Troops Division, Adjutant General's Office, Record Group 94. Washington served in company B, 123rd U.S. Colored Infantry. A notation on the wrapper indicates that his letter was simply filed by the Bureau of Colored Troops.
1. I.e., provided.
Published in The Destruction of Slavery, p. 608, in Free at Last, p. 495, and in Families and Freedom, pp. 197, 199.