Nicole Murawski's Letter

Dear War Department,

My name is Emma Edmonds and I recently realised that Private Thompson was listed as AWOL and a deserter. I would like to address that I, Emma Edmonds is the real Franklin Thompson. I disguised myself as a man in order to be enlisted in the Civil War. I’m writing this letter to you to show you that even though I did leave, I need to have my rights restored. I am dedicated and I put so much effort into what I did. I don’t believe putting me on dishonorable discharge is the correct thing to do.

One of my first missions I disguised myself as a slave named Cuff. I was able to get behind rebel lines and I collected a lot of information while I was there. I was capable to write down important data about their artillery, weapons, and earthworks. I put it in my shoe and gave back the information to McClellan and once I did he personally thanked me. After a couple missions I was put onto a furlough because of all of my hard work and dedication I put into being a spy in the Civil War.

I worked hard and was honored to be reawarded with a furlough. As a I had 2 free weeks of relaxation, I worked in two hospitals. One was full with Union men and another with soldiers. I helped many of the sick and wounded even though I was not told to. I spent equal times at both hospitals everyday. Once again, I worked very hard and I don't believe I should be on a dishonorable discharge when I worked every single day for this army.

Because of all of my disguises I was able to get behind rebel lines several times. One of them was when I dressed as a woman and worked at a Confederate Camp. As I was there I was able to pick out lots of valuable information. I was cleaning an officer's jacket when an envelope of classified information came out. It turned out to have the names of 2 Louisville agents, a sutler, and a traveling photographer. I believe that getting that much information in one mission was very good and I don't think that being on AWOL will be a nice reward.

On one of my missions, I found a Confederate spy carrying important information to give to the rebels. He was carrying Union plans. It was hard to catch him because he was on his way to a Rebel camp. The plans also had the names of  Rebel spies. I bring them back to McClellan and he thanked me and said that I couldn’t have done better. Now that I brang back the plans the Union was able to do something without the Rebels knowing since they caught the Union all the time.

           Yes, I left without notice but I really don't think I should be punished. I was dedicated and worked hard. I would have never expected to be writing this letter because I didn't think that with all the effort I put into being a spy this would be the consequence. I was able to gather so much information to bring back to McClellan that nobody else was able to get. I really hope you reconsider what you have done because I don't deserve this.

From,

Emma Edmonds