D85 New England Soldiers, Relief Ass06 Wm H. Kimball - State Mid Colored Soldiers 54th MASJ New England Soldiers' Relief Association No. 194 BROADWAY New York, May 27th -- 1864 His Excellency Governor Andrew Boston, Mass. Governor. Since my last advice Colonel Howe has been slowly improving altho still unable to set up; he is hourly expecting the arrival of Mrs. Howe Steamship "Evening Star". He particularly desires me to write your Excellency in behalf of his colored nurse to whom he has become attached on account of her faithfulness and devotion to him, and who occupies a very prominent position among the people in this city. She has a nephew Charles P.A. Harris who enlisted in Co. A. 54th Mass. Vols, was the only support of his widowed mother a Mrs. Williams now living in Philadelphia she having since married. She desires to know whether the mother can draw state aid if so, how much, and through whom she can obtain it. Very Respectfully WH Kimball Have him credited to some town so that his family can have State Aid. Major N. Brown, Please inform me whether Charles E. A. Harris of Co. A, 54th Mass, is assigned to any, & what particular city town or ward. Return this with this information. Andrew Order No 6 State Aid furnished through the Auditor Clerk CIVIL WAR GOVERNOR LETTER: (also Lincoln addresses letter to, see below): New England Soldiers' Relief Association letterhead datelined. . . New York, May 27th 1864 and addressed to Gov. John A. Andrew of Massachusetts: (Andrew, John A. 1818-1867. . . lawyer, involved in fugitive slave cases, 1858-member of State Legislature, delegate at 1860 Republic Convention, elected Governor of Mass, served 1861-1866, active in raising troops.) An historical note: on Thursday, February 18th, 1864 when Sherman's forces at Meridian, Miss., were still disrupting Confederate railroads and supply depots, President Lincoln wrote Gov. Andrew to ask for homes in Massachusetts for displaced southern negroes. . . an excerpt from Lincoln's letter follows. . .that if "It be really true that Massachusetts wishes to afford a permanent home within her borders, for all, or even a large number of colored persons who will come to her, I shall be only too glad to know it. . . . . ." The attached letter addressed to Gov. Andrew reads. . . . . "Since my last advices Colonel Howe has been slowly improving altho still unable to set up; he is hourly expecting the arrival of Mrs. Howe per Steamship "Evening Star". He particularly desires me to write your Excellency in behalf of his colored nurse to whom he has become attached on account of her faithfulness and devotion to him, and who occupies a very prominent position among her people in this city. She has a nephew Charles S.A. Harris who enlisted in Co. A 54th Mass. Vols, was the only support of his widowed mother a Mrs. Williams now living in Philadelphia, she having since married. She desires to know whether the mother can draw state aid if so, how much, and through whom can she obtain it." With great respect Very Respectfully Your Obt Svt, W.H. Kimball Interesting follow-up correspondence on back of letter including pencil directive to Major N. Brown written and signed by Gov. Andrew. . . "Have him credited to some town so that his family can have state aid." "To Major N. Brown, Please inform me whether Charles E. A. Harris of Co. A. 54th Mass. is assigned to any, & what particular city, town. . . . . .Return this with the information" signed: J.A. Andrew "Boston No 6 State Aid furnished through Mr. Davis Auditor Clerk" [handwritten] Col. Paul E Howe see Massachusetts in the Rebellion P.C Headley Pages 535,578,55 Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.