Gianna V's Letter

Dear War Department,

I am writing to you to inform you that Franklin Thompson is stated as a deserter or other wise known has AWOL, but in fact he has a good reason for leaving without a furlough. I think he should be reinstated, and not be known as a deserter. I, Emma Edmonds of Saint John, Canada is Franklin Thompson. As you know when the civil war was going on women were not allowed to join the army. I wanted to be a battlefield nurse, I was aching for that job but it was very dangerous, so it was only given to male nurses. I decided to pretend I was a man, I cut my hair short, was tough and strong, I knew how to ride horses and was use to the uniform because of growing up on a farm in Canada. I know you might think it is not good to lie but that was the only way I could get in. I had much of luck when pretending to be a man, but it all went downhill. That was when I caught Malaria otherwise known as Swamp Fever. I knew if I let the doctors in the army treat me they would find out I was a woman. I could not let that happen so I packed my bags and got treated at a hospital. Even though I lied I did many useful things for the Union army, so Franklin Thompson should be honorable reinstated.

I was a spy for the Union army and went behind Rebel Lines many times and also worked as a battlefield nurse. On my first mission as a spy, I disguised myself as a quirky black slave. As soon as I got behind Rebel Lines, the put me right to work which was good they believed my disguise but made me work non-stop for hours and treating me terribly. I could of just given up, told them i was a spy, not a slave and stop the never-ending hours of hard work, but I didn’t, I kept at it till my hands were red and raw. After dark I wrote down key information about their artillery and found out they were using quaker guns to trick the Union army. After I got the plans back to headquarters, General McClellan thanked me personally.

 Not only did I go on spy missions but when I wasn’t on them, I was working around the clock nursing. I was a battlefield nurse and soon the hospital came pouring in with injured soldiers. Everyone, even the surgeons were treating wounds, carrying food and still operating on the patients. No one had any time to themselves. We only had time for short meals and a few hours of sleep.

On one mission I dressed up as a old women from Ireland, but I’m only 21. I said I was there to sell my goods but on my way I met a dying soldier, and his last request was to give an object to a high ranked officer. I gathered information about their troops, their defense, and found key documents. By luck, the high officer asked me to lead the way to the dead soldier I met on my way, and I agreed. I lead the way and the Rebels asked me to stay on guard. I was relieved, now I could finally get back to camp safely. I took the horse they gave me to ride and galloped away, the Rebels thinking that I was going to stay on guard. I got back to camp safely just by my good luck.

On another mission I caught a Confederate spy in Kentucky that was giving away important information to the Rebels. It wasn’t easy but I caught him and found him with secret Union plans when he was on his way to the Rebel camp. It also listed other spy names for the Rebels in Kentucky. Now the Union army could finally make a move without the Rebels knowing what they were the about to do. General McClellan told me I couldn't of done a better job.

As you can see the Union army needed me and I did my helpful jobs for the Union army. Without me there might be a possibility that the Union army might of lost the war. All I ask is for Franklin Thompson to be reinstated and not known as a deserter. Thank you very much for your time, I hope you understand and reinstate Franklin Thompson.

Sincerely,

Emma Edmonds