Jared K writes

Dear War Department,
      Hi, I am Emma Edmonds and I heard Franklin Thompson was dishonorably discharged. I Emma Edmonds, disguised as a man to be Franklin Thompson because I greatly believed in the Union’s cause of ending slavery. I did many great things as Franklin Thompson and feel it is unfair to have me as dishonorably discharged.
      When I was in the military I had many great spy missions. In my first mission I disguised myself as a black slave named Cuff. While spying as Cuff I brought back lots of valuable information on the weapons, artillery and earthworks that helped us a lot (50). I did so well on this mission General Mcclellan personally thanked me and trusted me on more spying missions.
      After I disguised as Cuff, Mcclellan trusted me on two other important missions. My second mission was to scout out Chickahominy. As a Irish peddler named Bridget O'Shea I went into rebel territory once again and brought back valuable information on what weapons and defenses they had set up in Chickahominy.
    After Bridget O’Shea my last spy mission I disguised as a rich Confederate man named Charles Mayberry. In this mission I told the Union about a key Confederate spy who was giving the Confederacy very important information about us, the union. I was able to help us get some important documents into the hands of the Union’s General Hooker. Hooker was so proud of me he gave me his sword (114).
      But I did not just do well as a spy. I did very well and sacrificed a lot as a nurse. While nursing I barely ate anything and did not get proper sleep. Also when I got my two week furlough I did not rest. I spent my time volunteering in a Union hospitals instead of being lazy.
      Another important job I had was being a courier. While being a courier I sacrificed my safety a lot during the war. I was always being chased by Confederates and in constant danger because of the important information I was carrying. But yet I was still very strong and brave and did not let the Confederates get any important information off of me.
      I did many great things as Franklin Thompson and should be honorably discharged instead of dishonorably discharged. I felt I, Emma Edmonds fought well and valiantly for the Union’s cause and that you shall really consider changing Franklin Thompson’s status.
   Sincerely,
    Emma Edmonds a.k.a Franklin Thompson.