Caleb J Emma's Letter

To The War Department,

My name is Emma Edmonds. I was charged with desertion and was dishonorably discharged from the army. I am pleading my case to be reinstated as an honorable member of the United States Army and request that you consider the unusual circumstances that led to my discharge. Despite my gender and Army regulations prohibiting women from joining the military, I have always wanted to serve my country. Therefore, I believe I had no choice but to disguise myself as a man under the alias “Franklin Thompson.” The only reason why I had to desert was because I contracted malaria and left so as not to be found out. I was just trying my best to support the Union cause.

Even though I was born in Canada, I have always supported the Union cause. In 1861, at the start of the war, I enlisted myself into the Michigan Volunteer Infantry (the Union Grays). I started working as a field nurse until a rumor spread through the camp that one of the Union’s key spies had been captured in Richmond and shot. Somebody had to fill the spot and next thing I knew I was taking the special oath for secret agents. Since then I have been on a number of spy missions including one where I disguised myself as an African American named Cuff by coating my face and hands with a silver nitrate solution. Once I was behind the enemy lines, I had collected a lot of key information. Back at headquarters, I described the different gun batteries, the new fortifications, the size of the enemy encampment, about the fake cannons, and about a rebel spy who had been posing for months as a peddler. Because of my service, General McClellan thanked me personally for all that I accomplished.                                                             

After my return to the camp, I kept up with my rounds at the hospital, nursing the sick and wounded. But soon after that I was called for yet another spy mission. In addition to my disguise as Cuff, I have also disguised myself as several other people. Once, I dressed myself up as an Irish peddler named Bridget O’Shea. I “transformed from an ordinary soldier into a plump, bosomy matron”. (67) I entered into the camp unsuspected and was able to gain more information about the Confederates and their plans for attacking the Union after they finish building a bridge across the Chickahominy River. I was even able to steal a horse in the process. I rode my new horse back to headquarters, and told Colonel Shrub what I had learned. The adjutant was delighted by my report.

When I was coming back from one of my missions, shots were being fired at my group from a band of renegade soldiers. I was able to escape, but not without an injury. I was shot in the arm and was granted a furlough.   I explored the city as Private Thompson for a few days, but then spent the rest of my leave doing volunteer nursing. When I came back to the army, I was on another mission, posing as the mysterious Charles Mayberry. But instead of working as a spy, I worked as a detective. My mission was to find the man who was secretly giving the rebels information about the Union’s plans. Through my contact I began to meet the city’s important people and gradually built an image. I found out who the perpetrator was and was able to lead him to an ambush. When I was back at my own regiment, I was praised and congratulated. I did not know this would be my last mission.

I started to feel sick for some time. My symptoms had become worse and at last I had to face the truth: I had contracted malaria. I received doses of quinine, but it did no good. I couldn’t climb into a hospital bed because then my secret would be out. This was the only reason why I left. When I found out that Franklin Thompson was listed as absent without leave, I reacted to this setback the same way I always do, with action. I bought a train ticket to Washington with the last of my funds. The capital more hectic and chaotic than ever. I found a place to live and went quickly to work in one of the base hospitals. For the remainder, I served as a nurse under my real name, tending and comforting the wounded.                                                            

Determined not to remain on the sidelines, I answered President Lincoln’s impassioned plea for volunteers. I felt that it was my duty to do all that I could to benefit the Union cause. The good name of Franklin Thompson cannot go down in the army books as a deserter. My actions have played a big part in the war and for all that I have done I deserve to be reinstated as an honorable member of the United States Army.                  

Sincerely,
Emma Edmonds