Emmas letter to war dept.-Jed Chizner

Dear Members of the War Department,

My name is Emma Edmonds.  For the past 2 years, I enlisted in the army under the alias of Franklin Thompson.  I have been charged with deserting the army.  I wanted to take the opportunity to explain my actions with the hope that you will reinstate me.  

When I first enlisted, I worked as a nurse.  After that, I was given the opportunity to be a spy.  On my first mission, I disguised myself as a slave named Cuff.  My duty was to find out all I could about the artillery in the rebel camps. (50) I brought this information back to McClellan and he personally thanked me for my brave services.

I believe I should be reinstated because of my kind and caring actions, not just for the Union but for Confederate army as well.  My next spy mission I disguised myself as an old Irish peddler. I found a man who was dying. He told me he wanted me to give his watch to Major Mckee. I went to the rebel camp and gave the major the watch. He was so grateful that he treated me like royalty. I was able get more information about the enemy and leave without drawing attention to myself.

Another reason I feel I should be reinstated is for my hard work.  Each time I need to become “someone else” I have to go through a difficult process.  I change my name and my clothes.  Yet the real challenges are in transforming my personality.  During one of my last missions I was under the alias of Mr. Mayberry but I was actually posing as a detective as well as a spy. This time, I wasn't behind rebel lines but was in another Union camp. We found out there was a spy amongst one of the rebels. My job was to find him and trap him so we could put him in a Union prison.      

 My last reason I feel I deserve to be reinstated is because of my determination. I was given a two week furlough by the colonel. After a few days I got bored so I volunteered as a nurse for the last week and a half. While I was not at the camp I had to help people. The reason for my desertion was that I had malaria.  I could not go to the hospital because they would unclothe me and find out that I was a woman.  I asked for a leave.  When my leave was denied I felt I had no choice but to leave and get healthy.  I know that leaving was wrong but you must understand I felt that if I stayed, I would die.

   I am asking you all, members of the War Department, to reinstate me and give me another opportunity to serve the North!   I know that if given the opportunity, I can continue serving as a spy and am willing to risk my life for the army.  Thank you so much for reading this and fully considering my request.

Sincerely,

Emma Edmonds (Frank Thompson)